How do I get my 1 yr old to stop throwing food on the floor?!

GreenEyedGal

Every meal time, I'll put his food on his tray, he'll eat a few bites then one by one, throw each piece on the floor. It's so frustrating! I've tried sternly telling him "no" and he just looks at me wierd and proceeds. I tell him "no!" once again and then he starts crying.

Grrrr, any tips???

DavezWife

when I asked this at that age (MAYBE she was a lil' older) Reems said "make them pick it up!"  and both Katen and Ava MELTED and crumbled into shameful sobs of hysterics, but it stopped the problem.

Just calmly get him down, and ask him to pick up his mess. Food stays on the tray, please.

Worked for us. (of course, Uncle Bloopers usually cleans up for us, lol)

jenn2929

I asked this a few weeks ago and got a some good responses (take them out of their seat, remove their tray, timeout) none of which has worked for us so far.  I like Reems and Davez idea but my kids would not have a clue what I was saying if I told them to pick up their own food (they are just thirteen mos. now) but I will certainly try that if this persists long enough.

I will say the timeout has had intermittnent success.  But it's not a total deterrent.  We have EI and my PT literally takes her son down from his chair and the meal is done if he throws something.  My kids are underweight, so I don't really have that option.  But she says it seems to be working.

GL! 

TheSkimmy

Throw it at them?? :-) Just remember it's a phase and it will get better!!

charmcitygirl

Its a phase and he's looking for your reaction - good or bad.  Jacob did this constantly and not just when he was finished eating.  Like you said, sometimes its just after a few bites.  He would have never known what to do at 1 if I told him to pick it up.  So, I just started ignoring it.  Totally.  Ignore him throwing cheerios or cheese or whatever on the floor.  Or my other thing was to take his plate away for a few moments.  No reaction at all.  Just food on the floor = plate taken away.

It did last for a couple of months and that really sucked.  But he hardly ever throws food on the floor now.

GreenEyedGal

Thanks for all of the great advice!

I think making him pick it up would work wonderfully if he was a bit older. I think if I put him on the floor now he'll be so excited to be let loose in the kitchen (it's blocked off with a baby gate) that he'll forget the food and start messing with the cabinets, dining chairs, etc.

Ignoring him though-why didn't I think of that?! Surely he continues to throw food because I react differently than he's used to seeing, so off the food goes. So I'm definitely going to try ignoring him and see how that works.

Thanks girls!

DavezWife

I dare some of you to try the "make them pick it up" method. You will be SHOCKED at how early those little ones know "shame" without it even being taught/shown. I was blown away. Ava knew EXACTLY that what she was doing was wrong, and it stunk to be busted and reprimanded.

We've actually had to be VERY careful about using "shame" at all around Ava, she's super senstive to it, in fact, she was throwing a fit in the grocery store about whoknowswhat, and some old lady came by and said "you need to stop being naughty, and be nice."  Ava just died. Like, crawled into my arms and sobbed for what seemed hours. We are huge users of "positive" language around here, mostly just to avoid the meltdowns, and making my kid feel like chit.

alchris

Gosh, I wish I had a child who learned shame, guilt, etc.  Kira has had to pick up ever since she could throw and I swear some days she still throws food (or spills her water, etc.); last year it was still a daily thing.  She's just so laid back that she doesn't care.  She picks it up and does it again the next day.

Sorry to be Miss Pessimism, LOL.  Fortunately her being laid back is a huge advantage sometimes too!