Throwing things, objects, and even food is a new skill that children aged 1.5 to 3 learn. And he is not bad, if you look at him differently. To throw, and not drop an object, you need not just to unclench your fingers, but to coordinate the work of the eyes and hands. The purposeful throwing of things helps to develop fine motor skills of the fingers. This is a very exciting ability. It is clear why the child wants to throw objects again and again. But the desire of the mother to wean the baby to throw things is justified.
Yes, you are being driven crazy by food or a nipple flying in the kitchen that lands on the sidewalk. But for a child this is all a pleasure. You must understand that the ability to throw things not only brings pleasure to the baby, but also develops it. It is instructive even what happens after the throw: the child begins to understand that all objects fall only down, not up. Although he does not know anything about gravity, he can observe the consequences of its action. Throws make it clear to the baby that the ball bounces off the floor, the berry is flattened on it, and the egg is broken soft-boiled.
What can be done to stop the child throwing food, things and objects
Do not scold or punish the child for throwing objects, unless he is aiming a stone at a cat, window, people or car. It is impossible to make a baby of 1.5-3 years old stop scattering things. But there is a way: take a new hobby of the child under your control, limiting the list of things that you can throw, and reducing the number of “targets”.
Show your kid items that you can throw
If you offer a child a lot of things that you can throw, he will quickly realize that you can’t do this with other objects and food. Show him balls and other things (balloons, children’s bowling balls, soft toys and other safe objects) that he can throw without fear of his mother’s indignation. And during the walk, offer to feed the pigeons: a two-year-old baby will really like to break off and throw pieces of bread.
The meaning of this advice is that the child needs help to understand: you can throw things, but only with certain things, in certain places and at a certain time. If he has already prepared to throw slippers, calmly take it from your hands and say that you can’t throw shoes, but you can throw a ball.
Prevent Aggressive Stuff
What to do if the baby throws what is impossible? Try to pretend that nothing happened, try to ignore it. If you interrupt your business and look at the child disapprovingly, soon he will try to draw your attention again. After all, he knows how to do it: you just need to throw what is impossible, and he will definitely do it again and again.
If the child began throwing things at other babies, you must develop tactics that you will adhere to constantly. It helps children to remember the repeated repetition of the same thing. If the child threw something, tell him that it hurts, so you can’t do this. After that, take him aside, taking a break in his game so that he cools down and understands what does the word "no" mean. But this break should not last longer than 1 minute, otherwise the baby will forget why he was stopped and torn from work.
If a child is offended or angry at other children and starts throwing objects at them precisely because of anger and when he “gets crazy”, explain to him that his feelings can be expressed in words.
Video question in Dr. Komarovsky’s studio: “What if a child throws objects when he is angry?”
Do not scream and never do not raise your hand on the child. With this example, you will show that anger can be contained and discontent expressed in words. The fact that you are upset by his behavior, the baby will understand according to your tone. If he continues to throw things at children, and all your efforts to wean him from it turned out to be in vain, there is only one way out: to monitor what falls into the hands of your child.
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Attach the toys to the handrail of the stroller and the child will not be able to throw them
When the baby is sitting in the car seat or stroller, tie a few toys so that he can get them. To do this, use laces or elastic bands (so that fingers do not get tangled in them, cut off the ends of the knots). Then the child will understand that you can not only throw the toy, but also pull it back to you. This will double his fun and save yourself the need to pick up scattered objects.
Involve your child in the nursery
Do not force him to collect everything that he has scattered. For a little man, this task is almost impossible. Better turn the work into a game by collecting scattered race toys. And along with this, you can consolidate the knowledge of colors in the baby. Just say, "Help me find the red cubes."
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Be a good example for a child
You can show by your own example how you can rush and what not. Throw a pillow on the sofa in front of the baby. But do not throw the phone, even if you are sure that it will not hit anyone and will not crash on the floor. And if the child throws something “forbidden” once again, walk around the house and throw the dirty shirt in the basket, candy wrapper from the candy into the bin, and the toy into the toy container.
Be near when the baby eats
At about 1.5–2 years, the most “dirty” period begins regarding food intake. And in order to wean the baby from throwing food, you need to sit next to him, stopping any attempt to pull porridge or bread. Each time he begins to wave his food, take and stop the plate or hand, making it clear that this should not be done. Yes, and it will be easier if you do not have to wash the floor with the table after each meal. Sitting next to the baby during lunch, you can also make sure that he carefully chews the food, and does not swallow it in pieces.
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If the baby throws food, serve it in unbreakable dishes for children
Do not put your best porcelain on the table if it is time for the baby to eat. Buy a set of baby unbreakable tableware with glasses with tubes that can be attached to a table or to a high chair.But remember: this will save you from scattered dishes, but most likely it will not stop the baby from trying to tear off plates and glasses that are “stuck” to the table.
If the child throws food, place it in a plate in small portions
If the child has little food in the plate, and you will not report the supplement until it is empty, then there will be almost nothing to throw. And do not force the baby to eat everything to the last spoon. Usually children start throwing food when they are already full and they get bored at the table.
We also read: You won’t be forcibly fed: why you can’t force a child to eat through force
Therefore, remove the plate from the table as soon as the child loses interest in food, not paying attention to how much was eaten. But do not be nervous and do not swear if the baby has something left in her hands: adults also sometimes drop food. If there are bread crumbs on the floor - this is not very scary.
Video lesson for women. Ita Minkin. A child throws food on the floor ... Do not give him food?
If, nevertheless, something is left in the child’s hands, by accident or on purpose, try not to overstrain because of this: we all sometimes drop something, so a piece of bread or cheese on the floor is not so scary.
We hope that these tips will help you if your baby, scattering everything around, looks more like a little pig. Adhere to your tactics of behavior and be consistent in their actions. And then wean the kid to throw things, objects or food.
Video parenting secrets: the child throws toys:
When a son accidentally drops something, I don’t scold. And if she’s naughty and throws food or even things at someone with aggression, I scold and stop them. I liked the advice on replacing prohibited items with permitted items: today I tried to give him a ball instead of a remote control, got distracted and stopped throwing things without whims. Super!
Surprisingly, my son practically threw nothing but toys - he watched them fall down from a crib or a stroller. And why? Because from the very beginning it is necessary to stop attempts to throw what cannot be scattered. And acquaintances are still struggling, trying to wean their three-year-old to throw food and things at other people, because at the time when he was just starting to do this, they were touched and did not explain that this should not be done.
My son is 1 year and 5 months old. He constantly throws food. My nerves are already losing. Can eat quietly only under the cartoon. I understand that this is impossible. I'm trying to wean him. I try to stop him when he is about to throw. I think that in time he will understand.