Feeding a toddler can be difficult. Some days Zel is a never ending abyss eating anything and everything, while other days he seems to survive off of a few bites of food. Forcing food upon your child never works, so parents have to figure out gentle (or sneaky) ways to encourage their child to eat. One way that I do this is by letting Zel make his own sandwiches. I cut up some bread and gave him a heaping spoonful of peanut butter and a child sized butter knife. I showed him how to use the knife to spread the peanut butter on the bread then let him try it by himself. Sometimes it takes a little restraint to stop myself from doing it for him or keeping him from getting too messy, but I find that he enjoys the food so much more when he does it all by himself. This is also great fine motor skills practice too!
Eventually he forgot about trying to spread the peanut butter and just ate it with a spoon (I've been know to do this myself).
I also wanted to share this adorable snack idea from Creative Kidlets 101 that I found on last week's Kid's Co-op Link Up:
What a fun activity! And such good practice for you little one. I admit I haven't given my toddler as much responsibility as she could probably handle. This would be a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteIf you do it in the high chair with a mat underneath, it stays pretty contained.
DeleteSo cute, fun & practical - what a wonderful opportunity to practice being self-sufficient!
ReplyDeleteMy toddler eats the same way - and I've learned to not worry about the days he is just too interested in everything else to bother to eat. His baby brother (who just turned 1), however likes to eat anything and everything all the time!! I think it's a great idea to try letting my toddler make a sandwich himself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea :) I might have to try this with my daughter, maybe it will get her to eat more
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