How to Teach a Toddler to Eat Neatly

Toddlers and messes go hand in hand, and no time is messier than mealtime. A bib might not be enough to keep your toddler protected from spills, smudges and stains, but covering him -- and your house -- in a plastic tarp might seem a bit excessive. Teach your toddler to eat neatly with some proven strategies at the dinner table.

Things You'll Need

  • Silverware
  • Plastic plates and bowls
  • Finger foods

Instructions

    • 1

      Offer silverware during meals. Your toddler might not immediately know how to eat her yogurt with her spoon rather than her hands, but giving her a utensil moves her toward a less messy dining experience. Show her how to place her utensil in the food, scoop up the food and place it in her mouth. Praise her when she does it successfully to encourage more utensil use.

    • 2

      Opt for less messy foods when you can. Your toddler is ready to move on from the pureed foods, which can create quite a mess. Replace pureed carrots with carrot sticks, for example. Eating finger foods instead of messy purees helps to contain the mess that occurs during mealtime.

    • 3

      Use plates and bowls. You might still be in the habit of placing your toddler's food on the high chair tray, but this technique only encourages messiness. Your toddler might spread the food all over the tray, ultimately getting it on his hands and clothes rather than in his mouth. Using a plate or bowl can contain the mess. Opt for plates and bowls that have a suctioned bottom, one that attaches to the high chair tray. A plate that stays in place won't get tossed across the room by a wily toddler.

    • 4

      Talk to your toddler about good mealtime habits. Explain to her that using a utensil makes eating more proper and less messy. Mention that big kids use utensils as well, and use older siblings as a model for good mealtime behavior.

    • 5

      Show her proper mealtime behavior. If you're eating with your hands and spilling food on yourself, your toddler isn't going to learn much. On the other hand, if you use a utensil, politely wipe your mouth and hands and clean up your mess, your toddler will understand the basics of neat eating.

    • 6

      Ask your toddler to help clean up. Making the mess might be fun, but your toddler will quickly learn that cleaning spaghetti sauce off of the walls isn't. Hand your toddler a baby wipe or napkin during his meal, encouraging him to wipe his mouth and hands. Ask him to clean up his high chair tray or pick up any food on the floor after his meal as well.

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