Tips for toddler feeding skills

Rules you can follow to ensure your toddler learns good feeding skills:

• Make sure the chair height and utensils fit your child. Food must be seen and reached easily.
• Have everything ready and close by, so your toddler won't have to wait too long.
• Allow more time than you think you'll need for mealtime to promote a relaxed atmosphere.
• NEVER put on "Dinner Theater" or staging a show to coax a child to eat.
• Minimize the mess:
  • Use a plate with deep sides to ease fork use.
  • No plate needed for finger foods.
  • Use a plastic bib with large food-catching pockets.
  • Put a plastic shower curtain, tablecloth, splat mat, or newspapers under highchair to make clean-up easier.
  • Make a placemat or tray with a circle marked for your toddler's cup, so she/he can see where it belongs. You can also do this for her/his plate.