by Jen Thorpe

Created on: December 23, 2009

Toddlers are a notoriously difficult group to please.  They have a shorter attention span than adults or older children.  They are not big fans of change.  It can be extremely hard to get a toddler to do anything that he or she does not want to do at that particular moment.  This, unfortunately, includes eating.

Don’t give up hope, because there are some things adults can do that will help inspire a toddler to not only eat, but to try foods that are new.   I am going to share with you some tips and tricks that work, which I learned from my experiences working with toddlers at day care centers.

(1) Make meal time shorter

Toddlers don't cope well with having to wait for anything.  A hungry toddler is a cranky toddler.  If you want your toddler to eat, you need to hit that window between "I'm hungry" and "I've been waiting too long and I'm frustrated!"  Prepare dinner, get it on the table, and get the rest of the family seated before bringing your toddler to the meal.  Serve the toddler first, so he or she can immediately access the food.

This scenario works because toddlers will automatically grab at what is placed in front of them.  If you can get him or her to pick it up, they are likely to at least taste the food.  It also works because it prevents the toddler from hitting their personal frustration point before the food even arrives.  

(2) Finger foods and dip

Toddlers are still learning how to eat.  Trying to use a fork or a spoon can be frustrating to someone with little hands and a short attention span.  Toddlers like finger foods because they are easy to grab and shove directly into one's mouth.  The simpler it is to eat something, the more likely a toddler is going to be to eat it.  Bite sized pieces are best.

Finger foods go well with what I refer to as "dip".  "Dip" means anything that can be poured or squirted onto your toddler's plate, that he or she can dip finger foods into before eating them.  Ketchup is popular, and can now be found in a variety of colors. Ranch Dressing is another toddler favorite.  You can also use some cheese sauces as dip, and peanut butter is another popular choice.

Your toddler can now change the color, texture, and taste of dinner.  Toddlers enjoy exploring the world around them, and having control over something.   Dinner has become a form of play for the toddler, and this will entice him or her to eat.  I

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