How do I get my 18month old to......

GoldieBride

#1  Stop yelling and #2 Stop throwing food?   As soon as he's done with whatever is on his tray he just tosses the rest. He doesn't understand "No"  and  he learned to do it only when he is done eating so removing him doesn't really matter because he's done anyways and that's what he wants!   And yelling right now is his default. It's mostly just loud groans and whines because he is just learning to use words to request things   like water and cookies etc.  but even when using his words he will yell it out.  DH and I are not yellers and we don't argue in front of him  so where does this come from???

taxbride

Re: throwing food:  I would try to keep a closer eye on him for a while to see if he has any other signals that he is done eating and then say "all finished" and take away his food right away so he doesn't have the chance to throw it.  It may help him learn to say "all finished"--or at least keep you from a mess. 

Re; Yelling:  I think sometimes kids just like to yell.  Just keep up the even tone you use normally and repeat what he said in a softer voice, like a question "oh, you want some water?" to model the appropriate behavior.  I think he'll get tired of it soon.  My 3 year old recently started to shout out "AMEN!" when we're done saying Grace at mealtimes, and I have told him to speak it, but then I ignore it mostly but say it normally myself.  It's harmless and it's quick (he doesn't shout all of Grace), and I think the more I react to it, the longer he'll do it.

Good luck!

Tania

TayLynn

ditto pp

 

From the research I have done and most pedis advise that once toddlers start throwing food, that is a clear indcator that they are no longer hungry and that they are finished eating.  They don't have the attention span and needs that an adult has so it's not being realistic for a toddler to be able to sit through dinner like we can.  When Andrew is done, we clear his plate and food and then make conversation with him.  We sing, ask him where his body parts are, or give him crayons or something to entertain him.


Andrew is done when he tosses food. That's his last resort to get our attention that he's done. We've missed his prior cues. He will only sometimes say, "all done" if I first ask him if he's done.

We've had the best results by giving him a small plastic plate to eat from. We watch him closely. If I give him food directly on his placemat, then it's more likely to be thrown. Now most of the time he hands the plate to us when he's done. But if he acts like he's going to fling it on the floor, we tell him the plate stays on the table and that works. I think when we first started saying to keep the plate on the table, I would physically help put it back down. We do the same thing when he takes a drink and ask him to put the cup on the table when he's finished. Then we praise him for doing so.

If he throws food, utensils, or cups then I have him help clean it up after dinner. He's gotten good at picking things up off the floor and putting them on his placemat or in the trash.

We really try to prevent the throwing so it's not how he signals that he's done. We discipline by telling him what to do more often than what not to do. And it works for us!  We try to be proactive rather than responsive.

As for the yelling, I think you have to model the correct voice and praise when he does it right.  He's just excited and doesn't know how to lower his voice yet.  I'm sure he'll get it.  Toddlers can be loud.  LOL

 

GoldieBride

Thanks for the advice ladies   He's coming into a challenging age now but I think thats good advice.  Going to start watching him closer as he winds down his meals  and  the yelling.. well  ... I'll keep shhhing him till he understands, I guess