A father tells the nurse that his daughter wants the same plate and cup used at every meal, even if they go to a restaurant. What should the nurse explain to the father?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child is exhibiting the ritualism that is characteristic at this age. Ritualism is the need to maintain sameness and reliability. It provides a sense of comfort to the toddler. It will dictate certain principles in feeding practices, including rejecting a favorite food because it is served in a different container. Ritualism is not indicative of a child who has unreasonable expectations, but rather normal development. Toddlers use ritualistic behaviors to maintain necessary structure in their lives. This is not regression, which is a retreat from a present pattern of functioning.

A Father Tells the Nurse That His Daughter Wants the Same