Age 1
Children’s Meals (1-2 years)
This is an important time when your child will try to eat by herself, even if she spills things.
Moving from grabbing to a spoon and fork
★When your child tries to eat by herself, she flips over plates and gets her hands and face dirty. It’s tempting to feed her, but try letting her eat by herself.
Eat together
Enjoy eating together in a relaxed atmosphere while making conversation like, “This is _____. Yum!”
Try something different
Sometimes it’s nice to try something different, like eating rice balls or sharing from a big plate.
Aim for an empty stomach 30 minutes before mealtime
Does your child eat before meals? Does she drink too much milk or juice?
Other things to try
Lay a rug underneath your child’s chair and prepare a wet cloth for cleaning the floor, a towel for wiping your child’s hands, and an apron.
Concentrate on eating
Put away the toys and turn off the T.V. Don’t read the newspaper or finish the housework—eat together. Try saying grace together.