Toddler Table Manners
Most toddlers will be willing to sit down and eat at a table for a few minutes at a time. The thing is, parents tend to think that a few minutes are not enough, believing it to be bad table manners. Many parents even force their children to eat more than they want to, forming a negative experience every mealtime.
Instead of converting the dinner table into a battlefield of willpower, try to encourage his enthusiasm and independence. Allow him to have some say in the food he wants to eat. (It can be between two choices that you would like to cook). Since you have his participation, he will feel more involved and responsible in the activity.
Offer his choice to him in a format he can manage – even eating macaroni by hand is all right. Only offer assistance if he asks for it, so you can build his independence and interest in feeding himself. If he gets distracted, you can simply and gently direct his attention to the plate.
It is also best not to force him to stay at the table when he is done. Eventually, he will learn the proper manners from you. Enforcing it too early will only ruin the happy experience and make every meal a chore.
