Teaching Children Why We Need to Use Eating Utensils

Eating with children can be an adventure, with animated conversations amidst flying food. During the second year, children generally begin exploring the use of utensils at mealtimes for self-feeding, according to the Better Brains for Babies website. Along with opportunities for independent eating, teach your little one why it̵7;s beneficial to eat with utensils instead of fingers.

  1. Proper Table Manners

    • Using eating utensils enables people to eat without touching food with their fingers. Small children often do not have the same desires as adults to keep their fingers clean. So, it̵7;s particularly important to teach youngsters about using eating utensils when they become capable of doing so, advises professional etiquette consultant Arden Clise. Learning how to use utensils properly is part of developing good table manners.

    Realistic Expectations

    • As you encourage your child to develop utensil skills, keep your expectations realistic to ensure that you do not overwhelm your youngster or create negative associations with mealtime or eating. A child may begin to attempt to use a spoon by 15 months of age and could progress to using a spoon and fork by about age 2, according to the University of Pittsburgh, Office of Child Development. Even with practice, it̵7;s not unusual for a child as old as age 6 to struggle with utensils.

    Adjustments for Success

    • As you encourage your child to use utensils, set her up for success. The easier it is to use utensils, the more likely your child will see the benefits of using them instead of fingers. Provide child-size utensils that will fit into her hands comfortably. These utensils often have special shapes that make it easier for a small child to hold them and manipulate them for self-feeding. Practicing with utensils will help small children develop the fine motor skills necessary to manipulate these tools.

    Pleasant Meal Times

    • Eat with your youngsters at mealtime to demonstrate how to eat neatly with utensils. Keep mealtimes pleasant and make your comments positive so you don̵7;t overwhelm them. Offer feedback and praise such as, ̶0;I see you are holding your spoon and fork to eat. You̵7;re doing so well! Isn̵7;t it nice to feel so big and keep your fingers clean?" Be patient if your child struggles, he̵7;ll keep working at it.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • What to Do If Your Kids Won't Eat?
      Just as each child is different, so is each childs eating habits. Its possible that a child who doesnt eat much may have a medical issue, but she may also just prefer playing to eating or she may just be a picky eater. Dont let your childs eating hab
    • Teaching Children Why We Need to Use Eating Utensils
      Eating with children can be an adventure, with animated conversations amidst flying food. During the second year, children generally begin exploring the use of utensils at mealtimes for self-feeding, according to the Better Brains for Babies website.
    • A Good Party Mix for a Child's Party
      A tasty party mix for your child’s next party should have plenty of contrasts. You need something sweet and something salty, crunchy and chewy, big and little, bright and neutral. To create your own mix, select any number of ingredients with th