Throwing Plates and Cups

[Play Care]

Ugh, my dc boy is still throwing his plate/cup when he is done at meals. He will be THREE at the end of June He is a BIG kid and eats very quickly. Even when I serve him last he is still done before everyone else. I try to get his things before he drops them from the table, but I can't always do it. When I have younger children do this, they are done until the next meal - but he's already done so even if I get him down and have him pick up his things, he doesn't care.

Even the 20 month old in my care doesn't do that. Ideas wanted, please!

[blandino]

Ugh, my dc boy is still throwing his plate/cup when he is done at meals. He will be THREE at the end of June He is a BIG kid and eats very quickly. Even when I serve him last he is still done before everyone else. I try to get his things before he drops them from the table, but I can't always do it. When I have younger children do this, they are done until the next meal - but he's already done so even if I get him down and have him pick up his things, he doesn't care.

Even the 20 month old in my care doesn't do that. Ideas wanted, please!

I would tell him that he cannot have a plate and cup until he knows how to treat them properly. I'm not sure how you would do that.... But he could eat in a high chair until he learns to not throw his plate and cup, and just put his food on the tray ?!?

[countrymom]

make him pick it up and bring it to the sink. if he continues then I would feed everyone else and him last so you can sit with him. this way you can catch it and correct it before he does it.

[LK5kids]

make him pick it up and bring it to the sink. if he continues then I would feed everyone else and him last so you can sit with him. this way you can catch it and correct it before he does it.

This is what I would do.....extreme action would be needed because I would sooo hate this!

[NeedaVaca]

I liked the idea of not even giving him a plate but I see a couple of problems-certain foods that might not be possible, as soon as you start giving him a plate would you be right back at square 1?

Feeding him last so you can sit there with him is good too! I would hate to have to sit right by him though. I do a lot of clean up, refilling drinks, 2nd helpings during meals so it would be hard.

Another suggestion is save a super yummy dessert-don't put it on the plates or talk about it. When the kids are all done eating you serve dessert on their plates, uh oh? you threw your plate on the floor, that's too bad, maybe tomorrow you won't do that and will get the yummy dessert I bet it stops!

[daycarediva]

I would sit there with him, it would be a giant pain for me too but I think it would help immediately stop the behavior. That is unacceptable. Does he do this at home as well?

If you can't sit, maybe NOT give him seconds and have him put his things right into the sink for a few days, with lots of praise and telling everyone that little John is a great helper who knows that our dirty plates and cups go in the sink. ?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

make him pick it up and bring it to the sink. if he continues then I would feed everyone else and him last so you can sit with him. this way you can catch it and correct it before he does it.

I would do this, too. That is really peculiar behavior for an almost 3-year-old, though, I just have to say. :confused:

[countrymom]

is he babied at home. Because thats something babies would do, not even my 2 and under do this, thats why I'm wondering.

[youretooloud]

I would just clean his spot at the table really well, and not give him a plate. He wouldn't get anything to drink at the table either. I'd occasionally hold the cup for him and let him have a sip, but no cup.

I bought one of those rubber placemats that stick to the table, and would use that for him if I felt like he needed a "plate", but I doubt i'd even do that much. I really think he'd just get part of his meal on the table only.

I wonder why his parents don't seem to mind this behavior. You'd think they'd be tired of it too. Over two years old is too old for this.

[Play Care]

Some of you caught it - his behavior is more appropriate to a child MUCH younger. In fact I have an almost 2 year old in my care who seems to understand much more than the almost 3 yo does. I realize every child develops differently, but if you saw it in person, it's glaring He does have a speech delay but I've wondered if there is more to it. I have mentioned some concerns to mom and we are slowly working on things. Is he babied? Probably a little. Certainly no more than other kids I've cared for.

He always has to pick up whatever his has tossed and put it in the sink - in fact all my kids take care of their own dishes. He doesn't seem to care.

I may try the high chair and no plates. I already only give him his cup to drink and take it as soon as he is done. But I feel he should have utensils, he already seems not to be using them as well as he should.

[My3cents]

Some of you caught it - his behavior is more appropriate to a child MUCH younger. In fact I have an almost 2 year old in my care who seems to understand much more than the almost 3 yo does. I realize every child develops differently, but if you saw it in person, it's glaring He does have a speech delay but I've wondered if there is more to it. I have mentioned some concerns to mom and we are slowly working on things. Is he babied? Probably a little. Certainly no more than other kids I've cared for.

He always has to pick up whatever his has tossed and put it in the sink - in fact all my kids take care of their own dishes. He doesn't seem to care.

I may try the high chair and no plates. I already only give him his cup to drink and take it as soon as he is done. But I feel he should have utensils, he already seems not to be using them as well as he should.

pull out the rice table. My kids learned how to juggle spilling using a spoon and dish to fill with rice. Expect messes, but this is how they learn. It really helped my little bunch. I say rice, but you can alternate with any sensory substances, water, beans, pom poms, noodles etc...... I sit with them and show them how to take the spoon, fill it and then dump it into the container and then dump the container and start over. I have all different sizes to fill and dump. They love it!!! We start doing this a little over one years old- with supervision. Parents are amazed at how well they eat with a spoon and fork.

After dumping the plate and cup onto the floor- it would stay. Then 2nds would come around and it would be no your done, you put your stuff on the floor, or ok let's get you ready for your nap. Tricky one because you don't want the child to stall on you either. They are so smart

[My3cents]

Some of you caught it - his behavior is more appropriate to a child MUCH younger. In fact I have an almost 2 year old in my care who seems to understand much more than the almost 3 yo does. I realize every child develops differently, but if you saw it in person, it's glaring He does have a speech delay but I've wondered if there is more to it. I have mentioned some concerns to mom and we are slowly working on things. Is he babied? Probably a little. Certainly no more than other kids I've cared for.

He always has to pick up whatever his has tossed and put it in the sink - in fact all my kids take care of their own dishes. He doesn't seem to care.

I may try the high chair and no plates. I already only give him his cup to drink and take it as soon as he is done. But I feel he should have utensils, he already seems not to be using them as well as he should.

another idea is they have plates that have suction on the bottom. I don't know if they would hold up for him, but maybe long enough for you to hear the sound of that plate coming off the table or high chair and get to him to correct him.

[laundrymom]

I wouldn't bother w suction plates, dedicated supervision or anything else. Heres what I suggest

Joey, you will NOT throw your plate again.

I would feed him

Bite by bite, requiring him to ask for each one.

Tomorrow, tell him

Im giving you a plate
You will not throw it
If you do, your lunch is over


Then make him two plates.
Leave one on counter

Put one bit of food on plate

Make him ask for more

Give him two bites

Make him ask

Only put two bites of food on plate until he finishes what was on his counter plate

If he slides it off table, he LEAVES table.


RINSE AND REPEAT. this is a game to him. It IS possible to train good behavior at your home without parent support.

[Unregistered]

OP here - on a different device.

This morning I served him last and sat with him. I made sure he only used his fork, but he needed many reminders. At the end I moved his things away, helped him down and had him carry his things to the sink. I will do this for a couple of days and see how it goes.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

OP here - on a different device.

This morning I served him last and sat with him. I made sure he only used his fork, but he needed many reminders. At the end I moved his things away, helped him down and had him carry his things to the sink. I will do this for a couple of days and see how it goes.

That is great!