1. Deconstruction of behavioral phenomena
Around 10-12 months of age, the "food-loving babies" who used to eat whatever they wanted may suddenly undergo a drastic change: They start to tightly close their mouths to resist the spoon, or spit out the food they have put in their mouths. Some even have an extreme passion for reaching into the bowl to grab the sticky rice paste, smear it all over the tray of the dining chair, and even use the food as a paintbrush to smear everywhere. Many mothers will therefore worry about their nutritional intake and be enraged by this "messy" behavior.
2. The core variables behind the behavior:
The awakening of self-awareness (Self-Agency) and the exploration of materiality
From the perspective of early cognitive and psychological frameworks, this is by no means a simple "anorexia" or "troublemaking", but rather a sophisticated psychological and sensory feast:
"I" need to set boundaries on intake: Around the age of one, the self-awareness of infants begins to emerge. They realize for the first time that "my body is under my control". When adults forcefully feed them with spoons, this psychologically infringes upon their sovereignty over their bodies and their independent space. Their resistance and silencing are actually expressing themselves through body language: "When to eat and how much to eat must be decided by me!"
The sensory puzzle of three-dimensional material properties: Food is the most diverse form of substance that infants can come into contact with in their family environment - ranging from sticky, hard, slippery, and juicy. By grasping, kneading, and spreading food with their hands, the skin receptors of infants are frantically sending feedback to the brain about specific textures. This "deconstruction" of the physical properties of food can significantly reduce their tactile defensiveness towards new foods.
3. Deep Cognitive Reconstruction
Reconstruction from the mother's perspective: Manipulating food is the "brain preheating" that occurs before it is swallowed. Babies must first "understand" this object in their hands, and only then will their brains feel confident enough to allow it to enter their mouths. To deal with this "weaning battle" during this period, forcing them to eat will only intensify the struggle for control, and even lead to true psychological anorexia. Mothers should make "precautions against contamination" in the physical space (laying down anti-fouling mats, wearing coveralls), fully delegate authority, and introduce "finger foods" (Finger Foods). Allow them to use their hands to grasp, explore, and control the food, transforming eating from a passive "injection" to an active "exploration of space and senses", which is the underlying logic for cultivating lifelong autonomous eating habits.
