What do you do when toddler throws food from chair?

[maggie2]

Just wondering - we usually just ignore b/c I didn't want to bring any attention to it at all, but now I think that may have been the wrong course of action (aka.  he reallly enjoys throwing food).

Should I just say something like "Oh, your'e throwing food, you must be all done" and take him away?  That seems scary to me as he'll probably have a meltdown   But I want to do what's best...

What do you all think?

[lisi's mum]

I've been doing the same as you, thinking about doing the same as you and am scared too as dd eats precious little as it is. It's a tricky one. Sorry, I'm no help what so ever 

[ks6]

When ds plays with his food, I declare him done.  No meltdowns yet.  Also, I only give him a few bites at a time so there is little mess.

[linfran]

I tell him "food on the floor goes in the bin".

DS is 10mo and we have got into the way of putting dropped food into the bin so he sees it and he doesn't get more made for him.

I know it sounds really mean but we only had to do it a couple of times and now he's really good - he drops a couple of bits by accident but he doesn't (so far!) seem to be chucking it on the floor deliberately.  If he does, then I know he's done and he's bored.

[tylersmommy]

I think 17 mo is old enough to understand the basics of table behavior...one of these being no throwing food. I did what ks6 does. Only give a few bites at a time and if the throwing starts, say "I see you're all done" and end the meal until the next snack or mealtime. It's hard to do and stick to your guns, especially if you know a meltdown is coming or you're worried about him eating enoug!