almost 17mo - discipline?

[GlitteryFluff]

How do you tell off a toddler who doesn't understand much?

DS(16mo) sometimes misbehaves but I don't always know how to deal with it.

So, for example, at lunchtime today DS picked up a handful of his lunch and threw it on the floor. I told him strongly 'No! No throwing!' He burst into tears, complete melt down, I carried on giving him his food, kind of trying to distracting him from the upset but not giving him cuddles/good attention if that makes sense? Few minutes later he throws a handful on the floor again. So I repeat the above. I can't take his food away, he needs it, and he ate it all in the end so was hungry. The only way I manage to not let it happen is if I don't give him anything to feed himself and I feed him it all but then he won't learn will he? Or is that the way to go til he understands more?

How would you deal with that?

Not sure if relevant but he can't speak or point, can't really communicate in any way with me so not sure if although he's 16 months it's like he's younger than that.

[SueGeneris]

I'd say you don't need to 'discipline' at this age. He's too young. Also I think throwing things is a developmental phase they go through. I'd just say 'food on the highchair ' or something and not make a big deal of it, and play throwing games at other times.

[GlitteryFluff]

Thanks fir your reply Sue.
I'll try that. I hate telling him off so maybe just saying something like that means he won't get upset but hopefully will stop doing it soon.

[SueGeneris]

I think they are very much still babies at 16 months. Even at 2! It's all a gentle learning process. I would concentrate on getting food into him and manners etc come much later. I'd definitely save any sort of raised/sharp voice for dangerous things. Might be worth having a read of a parenting book about ages and stages and feeding to have an idea of what to expect.

My 12 month old DC3 is also going thtough a throwing food off highchair phase so I sympathise! Good luck!

[Barmaid101]

My lo is 16months just and often throws food on the floor. I tell her no, food stays on her high chair. If she does it again, I take he out of her high chair back into the living room and then come back for food on 5-10mins. She rarely does it now unless she is full and it's her communicating with me that she is finished.
She has now started hitting and if she does I move her to sit down in a spot in the room out of reach of toys. Tell her that hurt mummy. We do not hit. After 20 seconds or so she moves off but usually to do something else, sometimes comes and gives me cuddles depends on the mood she is in.

I've heard something about never using the word no, but not sure what that is called etc but apparently it works.

[Zhabr]

Maybe to read French Children Don't Throw Food?