I agree with the others .... the expectation to sit in a CHAIR for meal time is not unrealistic or harmful ... you do not have to EAT but you are expected to sit and keep the group company.

I agree with Playfelt... I do not use highchairs in my program - everyone sits at the child size table and 'infants' under 18 months sit in a booster seat that has the option of a tray or no tray which sits on a 'child size' seat at the table when they are 'wee' they have the tray on cause they are messy and need it - as they master eating I remove the tray and push them up to the table and eventually I take away the booster seat and try just at the table - if they do not STAY sitting they go back in the booster until they 'master' staying seated properly ... this way we are all at the same level and meal time is more social and positive for everyone.

If a child is SCREAMING and making the meal not so enjoyable I move their chair away from the group where I can see the child out of the corner of my eye but the child cannot see the group and with the removal of the 'audience' so to speak and they tend to calm down more quickly and want to return to the group setting.