Have your baby seated safely at the table to be a part of interactions with others during mealtimes. Talk about what everyone is doing, including the child. New Jersey Birth to Three Early Learning Standards. (2013). New Jersey Council for Young Children. Kwon, K.-A., & Elicker, J. G. (2012). The Role of Mothers’ and Fathers’ Parental Control and Coparenting in Toddlers’ Compliance. Early Education and Development, 23(5), 748–765. (Level IV)
Babies can build relationships with peers and adults through playing with them during caregiving routines and group activities that require sharing with another child.
Children who join in at the table learn to eat with others and pick up skills to interact with a group of familiar people. Caregiving routines like eating with others help build self and emotional regulation and practising these skills will also enhance babies' ability to imitate appropriate social skills and build relationships with other familiar people at the table.