Food-throwing toddler - any handy hints?

[herbaceous]

I realise this is probably totally normal, and a phase, but it's really getting on my tits.

Every evening, after eating not very much of his dinner, DS (22 months) will throw the whole plate on to the floor. He used to just sweep it imperiously off the table when he'd finished, but now he knows I can spot his moves, he's got cunning enough to catch me unawares and sometimes will do it mid-mouthful. One time I even grabbed the plate as he went to swipe it, he wrestled it from my grasp, turned it upside down and threw it on the floor.

He's fine with breakfast and lunch, and eats snacks in a perfectly civilised fashion too. He's also much better behaved when we're out.

I wondered if he's full up, but his last snack is about 3.30, and he doesn't eat until 5.30. I wondered if he's overtired, but he has a long nap ending about 3.30, so can't be that bad.

After he does it I tend to just pull him away from the table, wipe his hands, tell him not to throw food, that dinner's over and that he can't have his favourite DVD he's usually asking for by then (currently Davina's High Energy Five workout). If I tell him off any more strongly, he just turns his head away, then laughs. I've tried getting him to help me clear up the mess, but this just gets thrown around too.

Anyone got any tried and tested tactics?

All behaviour is expression, as they say, so ...
Offer less food
Ignore food fight behaviour and slightly turn away, making the whole thing seem boring
Shorten meal times a bit

Normal toddlers don't let themselves starve, so things will resolve in time.

oh ok, well i got nothing else sorry

hmmmmm will ponder and come back if i think of anything

I'd try the tactic of putting very little on the plate, or even no plate at all (depending on the food) - at least that way you won't have much to clear up!

Thought I'd update you on progress, as no doubt you're all agog!

I offered less food, and there was no throwing! He asked for a bit more, I gave it to him, and at the end he pushed his plate away and took his bib off. All very civilised. It helped, I think, that he actually liked the food I gave him! If the meal involves toast in any way, it usually stays on the table.

Excellent progress!
Isn't Brian Sewell the art critic? Wouldn't it be Brian Cox..

yy art critic but you have to imagine him saying ''consider these children are exploring trajectory and discovering the effects of gravity'' in his plummy tones

I have a 13 month old who spendsmost of his time throwing anything he can get his hands on, including food. To the point that he'll chew his food then take it out of his mouth and throw it whilst smiling and watching where it lands! Its driving me crazy, he thinks its the funniest game ever. Anyone got any advice? He's only 13 months so dont know how to stop it, and if I say no to him he thinks its funny....

throwing is a very common schema, or repeating pattern of behaviour employed by a child as a way to learn it's not 'naughty' or being done to wind you up.

Number 531... that's a really interesting web page! Regardless, I think a side-benefit for my DS is that throwing food gets a reaction...