Spoon feeding

[buzzy bee]

Just wondering... If a 2 year old hadn't finished their dinner, would you spoon feed them the rest?

[Bridey]

It depends on why they aren't eating really. If they were tired or just being easily distracted then yes. If they hated the food or were full then no.

I had a child here once who was 5 years old whose mother confessed to spoon feeding at home when he was 'too tired to feed himself' LOL

[singingcactus]

If he was still hungry then yes. Sometimes. Not every time, but definitely sometimes. I do.

[breezy]

Not unless there was a good reason to!
I have 4 year old here whose mum "helps" her because she makes too much mess

[Boris]

Yes I would and I do. Sometimes my 2 year olds get tired and can't be bothered to eat and I know they want it so I do help them a bit. They can and do feed themselves though!

[sweets]

Theres nothing wrong with helping 2,3 and even 4 year olds!

[Katiekoo]

I would, on recent training it was pointed out how much concentration it takes for a child under about 3 and a half to feed themselves. They can get tired, struggle to concentrate, loose coordination/control and then loose motivation. I try encouragement first, if it is a problem I offer finger foods instead for a while.

[kindredspirits]

Theres nothing wrong with helping 2,3 and even 4 year olds!

i'm so pleased you posted that!!
My DS is 5 and still on occassion hands me his bowl to feed him - usually meals he's less excited about and although he can manage the taste he doesn't overly like it - so my argument is as long as it goes in it doesn't matter - i won't be spoon feeding him at 18!

[sweets]

i like to think i treat my mindees as a parent would (within reason!), and parents would help them if sat at the table with them.

I sometimes think we as minders can forget that they are babies, at toddler group this morning i witnessed a very experienced and 'older' minder being as hard as nails with a LO who was around 15months and was sobbing uncontrollably because she wouldnt pick him up! he has been clingy since she has had him and hasnt improved! (probably because she isnt very loving) she treats her mindees as a group and is always trying to make them 'grow up' and be ready for school, and im sure she forgets they are someones babies!

[Kimmy050983]

Jamie sometimes does this and I don't see a reason not to do it. 99% of the time he feeds himself

[funemnx]

Oh yes, I definately help my younger ones to finish their meal if they want me to, they're still learning after all!

[Twinkles]

We often pop the odd mouthful in. They get easily distracted.

[The Juggler]

absolutely if they are tired and still want to eat.

[Demonjill]

The odd spoonful ...or scrape round the bottom of the bowl or yoghurt pot

[Baildon bears]

I think spoon feeding a 2 year old is fine, like everyone says they get tired. My 5 year old son would kill me if tried to spoon feed him, though he has got an 8 year old brother so likes to act grown up.