Make Mealtimes Exciting
Many toddlers express their independence through eating or refusing to eat, as the case may be. In our blog post on Making Mealtimes more Enjoyable, we talked about Allowing toys and the Art of Distraction. You should always choose the foods on your toddler's plate, don’t let your toddler dictate what’s for dinner. By offering new foods every day, you will increase the variety of foods your child is willing to eat. This will take time and you must be patient.
Another great idea for making mealtimes more enjoyable is by allowing a child choose and use their own plate or cutlery. This can make the whole experience of eating a little less frightening, especially if they have designed the plate themselves!
Get Creative with the Kids
We have been to Giddy Studios in Dundrum a few times and it’s a real treat for the kids. They are both into art and love the fact that they get to take home their masterpiece. My eldest daughter Ashleigh aged 6 years made a plate about a year ago and she requests it everyday at the table. So it was now time for Jessica who is almost 4 to make her own plate. The staff in giddy studios were very friendly and helpful so when Jessica got a little frustrated, they were quick to lend a hand. Jessica chose her own design and even drew some butterflies which she then painted. We picked her plate up a few days later and it has prime position at the table ever since! It always makes an appearance t the dinner table, especially during fun meals like these Chicken Fajitas!
