Is your toddler turning her nose up at the green vegetables on her plate? Try using veggies of a different color. Sometimes, it’s just the color itself that is turning your toddler off. If won’t eat the greens, try the yellows, oranges, or reds. Corn, carrots, tomatoes, and red peppers are good options. Even if they don’t eat them all, just seeing the different colors may make them want to try one.
Toddlers should have a least three servings of vegetables a day. The serving size depends on your toddler’s age; one tablespoon for each year. Even though your toddler may not eat them, place them on the plate anyway. At some point, she’s bound to give it a try.
Be sure to add them to your plate as well. Children pick up on the smallest of things. If she notices that you aren’t eating them, she’s less likely to try. Make sure to eat your veggies at meal time. This way, she’s more likely to give them a try. The same goes for snacks. A healthy snack, such as celery sticks, is a good way to fill up the tummy without loading up on the calories.
Don’t forget the fruit. You should try to give your toddler a couple of servings of fruit per day. They are also a good option for toddlers who absolutely refuse to eat vegetables. Many fruits have the same nutritional value as vegetables. Offer a colorful variety such as bananas for potassium, cantaloupes for fiber, and kiwis for vitamin C.
When your toddler is big enough to make a mess but still too small to clean up after herself, picking up after her can be tiring. Sometimes it seems that she goes through an entire load of clothes in only a couple of days. And mealtime can sometimes be a disaster.
Once your baby is walking, that’s when the messes will increase dramatically. But soon, your toddler will be big enough to start helping you. The tasks will take longer when she is learning to do them. But this stage in your toddler’s development is the perfect time for teaching her responsibility. And chores are one of the best ways to accomplish that.
Good Chores For Your Toddler To Try
Start your toddler out with the simplest of chores. If you ask her to clean her room, she’ll most likely give you a puzzled look. However, breaking it down into small tasks so that she understands will be effective. Try asking her to pick up her dolls and put them in the basket. I break down all the tasks with my daughter, and it helps her understand what she needs to do.
Dusting with a feather duster is a favorite chore among chhildren. It seems more like play than a chore. My daughter will also wipe up spills and put her dishes away.
Getting Started
When you first introduce a new chore, you will need to show your toddler what to do. She will learn much quicker if she sees you doing it. Children learn by example.
You may have to help your toddler during the process the first couple of times. Even after she has mastered the task, it’s a good idea to stay with her while she is doing it. You can get some of your work done as well, just be sure to be there to talk to her. Try singing songs or making a game out of the chore. This will make chores more enjoyable, and she may even start looking forward to them.
Rewards
Be sure to say thank you when your child successfully completes a task. If she does a really good job, consider providing a reward such as extra playtime or a trip to the park. This will let her know that her help is appreciated and give her the incentive to continue.
Getting toddlers to do chores is usually not difficult if you start early. Most toddlers love to help around the house. Remember to not push to hard and try to make chore time a positive experience. This way, you will gain a helper and plant the seeds of responsibility in your toddler.
