AuntyB and Grandmama

Ten Miracle Dining Tips for Toddler Twos!

Grandmama: Because AuntyB deals every day with her two year old charge in her own home, you may be sure that the advice she's giving isn't just from her education (though she is certified in more than one discipline for early childhood) or her experience in leading infant-toddler classes and designing those environments.

If you haven't tried these ten tips, you're in for a wonderful surprise.  Some of them take dedication on your part, but the results in your child's life is worth it.  These tips lead to lifetime skills, not just the convenience of the moment.

AuntyB's Ten Miracle Toddler Dining Tips:

1. Use heavy crockery white divided plate. It can be microwaved and doesn't alter the flavor of food, as does plastic. There is an added benefit of using a heavy divided plate with deep dividers: It is not easily moved accidentally on the table and spilled. If the dividers are deep, there is more success in both spooning and spearing food with a fork because there are sides to push against.
2. Cut down portion sizes to three level tablespoons for fruits and vegetables. That's it as a serving for a two year old. You'll be amazed when you look at a measured serving. This is in keeping with recognized standards.
3. Keep each food separate from the others. (Casseroles are for later on.) It is confusing to a toddler to mix flavors, for the most part and most will refuse presentation of mixed foods, for example, mixed vegetables.

Toddler Nap — After Lunch! Time Out for Mom

AuntyB: When you are exhausted out of your mind and your child nestles their little head next to your neck and relaxes into your shoulder very ready to fall asleep, you think: "This is as good as it gets."

A last sigh and a tiny voice says, "Night, night." It is recliner time for Mom. The first ten minutes intro to sleep is critical. A few mumbled words and your toddler begins the descent into rest. That's your time to relax for a few minutes, letting the house come to a quiet standstill. Peace for your baby (now toddler) and peace for you as you let go of the tensions of the day and think, "Yes, we've lived another segment for our life together.

It has been a pleasure for me to sit down and reflect about the unfolding of the morning. I add a page to my daily journal. Will my child one day enjoy reading about her day when she was two years old? Events that she has no recall of except through the words on that page.

Other Toddler Lunchtime Behavior and One Caution

AuntyB: This lunch routine I use works, but so do others. The key to toddler lunchtime behavior is to keeping the same, same, same. And, an adult must be present sitting down with the child at mealtimes to insure safety, socialization, good table manners and increasing dining skills.

Caution: Some actions lead to very poor eating and dining skills. Never feed your child from a baby food jar as they run about the house. This forms "grazing" habits as one bite is taken with the child off to ramble around before coming back to graze again.

You see, great meals, whether with adults or children or both together, have a beginning and an end with lots of positive interaction between the diners.

A Toddler Lunchtime Routine that Works!

AuntyB: Every day follow your mealtime routine with your child. Here's a ten step plan:
To start the meal, your toddler needs to:

1. Come to the table when the food is ready.
2. Put on bib.
3. Wash hands.
4. Settle in chair and
5. Ask a blessing - folding hands. This is a great "be still" moment to transition to the new task of eating.

Then, with your company at the table, you

6. Name the foods to be eaten and point to each one. "Today you have pan-broiled salmon, cauliflower, mandarin oranges, banana slices and cheese nip crackers. Here is your milk to drink."

AuntieB's Mealtime tip: Make a Toddler Placemat

Lunching with Toddlers

AuntyB: I feel sorry for the toddler mom who doesn't have a routine. Predictable meals and naps are a must for a happy infant-turned-toddler. As there is more morning awake time, the budding child of your heart eases out of the "Mom luxury time" of morning naps. Meals are becoming more on a schedule: 7:30 am for breakfast; 11:30 am for lunch; and, then, 12 - 1:30 or 2:00 for the after-lunch nap time.

Morning winds down at 11:00 am with the opportunity to encourage your toddler to put away toys and bring a sense of peace, order and quiet back into the environment. While keeping a watchful eye (and ear) open for your child, you prepare a lunch for the two of you.

You keep talking and reminding: "Can you put the ball back in the bucket?" Or "Oh, the beads are on the floor. Please put them back in the tray. I am making your lunch." These cue the child that lunch will soon be on the table.