Quote:
Originally Posted by jinx
I would start with explaining what the problem is, then how to fix it. Two year olds want to please you.
"Uh oh, you made a mess - gotta clean it up"
While you're both cleaning it up...
"We don't throw food on the floor, look at the mess it makes" (keep it light/boring like SD said - don't make a big deal out of it)
Model appropriate behavior...
"I'm all done! Time to put my plate in the sink and wash my hands..."
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Exactly.
If that does not work, then no desert, no books at bedtime (my son's worst punishment), no song at bedtime, no favorite program, activity, etc...
After the third day of this, zero tolerance, first handful=immediate "ok no ____ now" then just ignore the fit, take the food away while the fit is happening. When the calm down ask, "ready to eat without throwing it/making a mess?"
I found that the escalation to zero-tolerance ends the behavior pretty quickly. If it does not, there is a core issue beyond play that needs to be gotten to/addressed and more in-depth talks/observation is needed.
The self-empowerment and positive reinforcement, "WOW, you ate all of that so WELL, what a BIG BOY/GIRL!" aspect of the above is the most important.
Once I do that I NEVER bring up any negative aspect of the behavior, just the positive, and I always brag to the other parent in front of them, or within ear-shot of them soon after about the positive behavior.
It is easy to forget to focus on this, but it is the most important part.