how are you teaching DC to use silverware?

flamencogal

We've been introducing a toddler spoon and fork/spork to DS but he's not really getting it.  I've been putting his food in a suction cup plate/bowl and then have the toddler ware there for him. He does pick it up and sometimes try but quickly abandons it and uses his hands.  Fine with me but I don't know when they "should" be able to use toddler ware? Thoughts?

Evans

I think DD was closer to 18 months before she really got it and could do it by herself (there are still sometimes where she still just uses her hands). ?The biggest problem she had with the toddler ware was that with the rounded edges she had trouble stabbing the food and that is why she would give up. ?She actually does much better with adult silverware because she can stab it. ?

ECUGirl2004

They have already been introducing spoons at daycare and awhile back Nate started "insisting" that he use a spoon at home, if I was feeding him with a spoon.  I don't feed him many things that require a spoon these days, but if there is something and he is set on feeding it to himself, I usually hold the bowl and kind of help guide him with dipping the spoon into the bowl.  With a fork, I let him hold it and he'll usually aim for the food.  I will spear it onto the fork for him.  He LOVES to eat from a fork and it's a good way for me to get him to try foods.    The other day I saw him pick up a piece of food & spear it onto the fork before eating it.  Ha ha.  I just let him play around with it.  I have no idea when he's supposed to have flatware down, I just know that he really likes to use it.

sms297

DD is very particular with her flatware. She really can't use forks that are plastic... even I have a hard time spearing things with them. She uses these Munchkin spoons very easily (you can get them at Target). I agree with Evans... it was probably around 18 months when she got good. Although sometimes she abandons the fork and spoon and just uses her hands still.

I'd just make sure they are there and he will use them if/when he wants to.