Originally Posted by Pestle:
I have had several kids who seem compulsive movers, and they get up even while still eating. All of these kids, judging by what I can see of the parents, are allowed to cruise their own homes with food in their hands. They all also steal food from other kids' plates. I can't tell whether the chicken came first or the egg--I'm sure they have a higher energy level and less-developed empathy and social skills than the other kids, but I don't know if the cruising and theft comes from lax parenting or if the parents are just being lax with a child who was challenging to begin with.
I should have majored in psychology and not development/education.
I give ONE bite at a time to 'repeat offenders'. Eat nicely, you get another bite. THROW? no more bites. Gradually increase it to a few on the tray, until they're eating with all of their food, and then I add a plate. I've only ever had ONE tossed plate, and that child was a chicken/egg situation I ended up letting for for the various other pecking behaviors.