Hi moms! Another quick question. How old were your children when they mastered using a spoon or spork? My daughter never took to being fed by me (she had a strong gag reflex which prohibited my feeding her pureed food). When she started eating solids at 10 months, she went straight to finger foods and has always fed herself. I have tried to entice her into using a spoon but she just throws it around and plays with it. She is now 14 months old and still has zero interest in using a spoon. Do children just eventually figure it out when they are ready. My mom told me that I didn't use utensils until I was three years old and insisted on feeding myself with my hands. I'm not sure that I want to go that long but at the same time, I don't want to make feeding time and eating a problem. Thoughts? Experiences? Advice? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. I'm really not all that worried about it but was just curious what the age range was for using utensils well (mainly a spoon). I'll continue to put food on her spoon and hand it to her and when she is ready she will "master" this skill. Until now - I'll let her eat however it is most effecient for her to do so.
My 2 yr old has just started using a spoon correctly (she can get the cheerios on and into her mouth with dropping any). She still has some problems with a fork and has not even attempted a knife yet. My 7 yr old however STILL picks food up with his fingers rather than a fork....so annoying!!!!
Mastering? Hehe! 21YO
Hi J.,
From an OT standpoint, a lot will have to do with her own "wiring" and interest.
If she's stronger in fine-motor skills (picking up and manipulating small objects) that gross-motor (run, skip, jump, climb), she will pick up using utensils much more naturally.
Since she's gotten little exposure to spoons because of her feeding issue, you'll have to find other ways to expose her to using spoons through play (having her feed her baby dolls and animals: demonstrate to her how to do it, make it look fun); and try giving her foods that are yummy, but non-finger friendly (yogurt, creamy soups, etc).
You can also try handing her the spoon with something sticky on it (like peanut butter) and just letting her lick it off.
T
My oldest was 12-13 months but every child is diffrent! She also was drinking from a sippy at 6 months (actually a little before). My youngest is 7 months and wont take a sippy... like I said every child is diffrent!
My son was about 15-16 months old when he was proficient at using utensils. Do you give her foods that must be eaten with a spoon - yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, etc? I wouldn't think she'd want to eat those with her fingers, but maybe she does!
I always gave our boys a spoon to hold and 'use' when the ystarted solids at 6ms old. Both could use a spoon by 10mos, and a fork by a year. I always had them use utensils, and I always put their food on a plate, never just tossed it on their high chair tray. Even snacks like cheerio's and crackers I put on a plate or in a bowl. And I must say neither has ever been a food thrower or a plate dumper. :)
All of my children were the same. The object is foreign to them and they are quite happy to use their little fingers. Fourteen mths. is to young to be using a spoon or fork. I would try again in about another 4 mths. or at the age of 2.
When going out to eat just make sure that you order something that you can put on a tray for your little one to eat. Introduce the spoon again at about 18mths. You can do the same with your child watching and she may just catch on if not just keep trying at different stages. By the age of 2 1/2 she should be well into using a spoon. I wouldn't give her a fork for a while. This could cause an injury. Good luck and let the little stay little. You only get yourself worked up because you want her to do something. Thats' not going to happen until she is ready.
It depends on the child. Even though my children didn't understand how to use them, i always gave them a toddler spoon (sometimes a toddler fork) when I was feeding them. I would give them one and use another one to feed them with. My daughter is 15 months old. She loves finger food, but she unjoys trying to use her spoon or fork to eat also. She does great with mashed potatoes and gets almost all of it into her mouth.
It's not a huge issue at this age. I would say give her a spoon, even if she throws it. Eventually she will become interest in it and will want to "help" you feed her.
I gave my daughter a spoon as soon as she grabed the one I fed her with, round 7 months. She never was a fingerfood kid, she would put the food on the spoon and then put it in her mouth. Dinner took 3 times as long but it was her way of practise I guess.She mastered spoon and fork by the age of 14 months.
it will come in time. at least your little one is eating. my guy is so picky but does use his spoon for some meals. enjoy it and let her eat with her hands. she's eating at least!
I say, continue to offer the utensils. She will one day do it on her own, following your modeling. To be honest....My daughter didnt til she was 5...VERY LATE. She is adopted from Taiwan. She ate with her hands all the time (no clue as to why). It wasnt until we adopted her that she was expected to use chopsticks and spoon/forks. She took to it immediately but old habits die hard. At 8, sometimes I will have to remind her to use her fork when she is grabbing a small tidbit off of her plate. LOL KIDS!!!!!
My son is 14 months now and we are in the process of learning. He can use both a spoon and a fork. But by that I mean that I fill the spoon and he takes it and turns it upside down into his mouth (so only sticky foods) I am working on him trying to keep the spoon upright.
I would say that you should skip the spoon for now and try a fork. That way anything stays stuck to it and all she has to do is get it to her mouth. Good luck!
