When you have a tiny tot, there’s always a possibility that dinner time can go one of two ways. In an ideal world, your little one will sit up in their high chair, happily munch on their food, and sip from their sippy cup, without much protest or intervention from you!

Or, as we all know all too well, dinner time can always go the other way. As soon as you turn your back, food is dropped all over the floor. And of course, giggles of contentment follow!

Parents, if the second scenario is your daily reality – we’ve all been there! We understand that it can be incredibly frustrating trying to make sure your little one eats their food without problems, especially when the behaviour doesn’t seem to be ceasing.

However, education is everything. So, let’s dive into learning what might be behind this type of behaviour, and what you can do to solve it!

First of all, let’s find out what could be behind this type of behaviour in the first place.

Why is my toddler engaging in these behaviours?

Although the behaviour of our tiny tots can often seem to be a great mystery, there’s always something behind their actions. And when we’re talking about children at the toddler stage of life, it’s very important to remember that they get bored easily – even when it comes to food!

So, your child may be dropping food primarily because they are bored. It could also potentially be because they feel they have eaten enough and are full.

As well as getting bored easily, young children also love to play games. If your child is dropping food, it may be because they are trying to engage you in a game, and they feel this type of action may get your attention! Remember, when a child is this young, to a certain extent they will feel powerless. They can’t articulate themselves properly and they don’t yet have the know-how to get what they want. Therefore, throwing food might make them enjoy the feeling of having some control over this particular situation.

So, now we’ve explored why your child might be engaging in this type of behaviour, let’s look into what you can do to change it.

How can I help them to stop doing this?

Ensure your actions are consistent. Like in all other areas of their lives, children need stability, routine, and consistency. Therefore, always ensure that you remain consistent with your actions surrounding their supper time, as this will set the standard for what is and is not allowed. Remember, it’s natural for children to want to test your limits, so it’s crucial you remain firm with your actions and the rules and boundaries you set. This way, they will learn what the consequences will be if they do not comply.

Give your child opportunities to interact with you during mealtimes. Tiny children don’t like feeling neglected or ignored, even if it wasn’t your intention to do so. At this age, they will massively crave your attention. So it might be helpful to give them significant opportunities to be in your presence during supper time so they don’t feel overly needy. Try getting your little one out of their high chair during supper time, and sit them at the table with you instead. This will help them feel included and that enough attention is on them.

Give your child lots of praise when they do eat well. Children respond very well to praise; it encourages them to continue with positive behaviour. So, when you do see your little one eating food without throwing, congratulate them!

Have family conversations at dinnertime. You want your child to see supper time as something enjoyable, not a chore. Therefore, it can be a good idea to engage in light-hearted family conversations over the dinner table. Your child will love this, and likely find it amusing. This will help your child cultivate positive associations with eating.

How can I stop my toddler from dropping food from their high chair?

Keep things a little cleaner at home with Unii's tips.