When did your toddler start using utensils well?

SigmundsGirl · October 2011

DS eats dinner with either a fork or spoon, but he hands us the utensil so we can put food on it. When he tries he just pushes the food around and then pretends to eat until he gets angry and then just uses his hands (while holding the utensil in one hand).

When DH dropped Evan off at daycare they were starting their morning snack and he said that most of the kids were proficient at using the spoon by themselves. Evan is the youngest kid in the class, so I told DH to relax. He is only 18 months, it isn't like he is 10 and can't use a spoon.

So, when was your LO using utensils well and what did you do to help them learn?

sad5781 · October 2011

The fork I'd say was "using well" about 16-17 months. He's almost 18 months now and does really good with a fork.

He's not as proficient with a spoon, probably because I don't let him try enough because I don't want to deal with the mess. Embarrassed He knows what to do (dips in the bowl, puts in his mouth) but he doesnt really know how to "scoop" and tends to turn the spoon over on his way to his mouth.

SigmundsGirl · October 2011

sad5781:

The fork I'd say was "using well" about 16-17 months. He's almost 18 months now and does really good with a fork.

He's not as proficient with a spoon, probably because I don't let him try enough because I don't want to deal with the mess. He knows what to do (dips in the bowl, puts in his mouth) but he doesnt really know how to "scoop" and tends to turn the spoon over on his way to his mouth.

We have the same problem with the fork. He can't seem to get food on it. Probably because it is a darn "safety" fork and the tines are useless.

What kind of fork do you have?

JamicanBride · October 2011

DD has been using a fork and spoon for a while now. We have the plastic utensils from IKEA, not sure if they are found elsewhere. The smaller, more rounded ones are not as user friendly in my opinion.

CareBear01 · October 2011

At 21 months, his utensil usage was much better - but he was still using his hands, too. Heck, even now at 2 1/2, he still uses his hands maybe 10% of the time.

We didn't bother with any of the plastic forks - they were pretty much useless. Also - we avoid the tines that are rounded on the edges.

All of his forks have straight metal tines.

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3755975

TexasPaige · October 2011

My almost three-year-old still prefers to use his hands. He can eat just fine with a fork and spoon, but his hands are definitely his utensil of choice. I guess it comes from being given finger foods for so long. His meals were meant to be eaten with his hands (bell pepper strips, tortilla with cheese, PB&J, pretzels, etc.). We probably ought to force the issue a little more, but I just haven't really worried about it.

Suzi-G- · October 2011

Cooper does pretty well with both, and has been for awhile, he still sometimes turns the spoon over on the way to his mouth. We do spear things for him a lot and help him during dinner, but that's mostly in the interest of expediency. The amount of time he will sit still for a meal is very short these days, we try to get as much food in him as possible. He also still eats a lot of things with his fingers, I don't care.

I don't believe in the safety forks, I think they're useless and frustrating. We just give him a smaller salad fork. I have a second set of assorted silverware and a lot of the forks are very small, including one I swiped from a restaurant (shhh don't tell) because it was bizarrely small--it's the perfect toddler size. I pack a small set of Gerber utensils (metal w/ plastic handles) in his lunch for school.

So long as it isn't stressing him out, I wouldn't worry about it, he'll learn before he's in kindergarten and he won't starve in the meantime. Tell your DH to relax. Smile

kat.in.the.hat · October 2011

Marion still prefers to use her fingers and hands sometimes, and she's three.

But Eliza already is really good with a spoon. I think it's just different from kid to kid.

SigmundsGirl · October 2011

Thanks ladies. I'll check out some better utensils and tell DH to stop stressing. Big Smile

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