As the child grows, he feels the need to be more independent, doing more and more things on his own. Usually, what he wants to try at first is to eat, get dressed, and brush his teeth himself. Typically, he starts using cutlery when he reaches 18-24 months. Therefore, you can help your child become more independent by teaching him to use cutlery and eat alone.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Teach Your Child to Use the Spoon
Step 1. Give the child his 'spoon'
Even if he is learning to use the spoon, he will not be able to use the one for adults, as it is heavier and can damage his gums and teeth. It can also be too heavy to maneuver. So, buy him a set of plastic baby spoons.
Often these cutlery is made of soft rubber to facilitate grip
Step 2. Guide the child in the spoon movement
If your child is still learning to handle the spoon, you can help him by placing your hand over his. Move it around the whole process from picking up the food and bringing the spoon to your mouth.
Move much slower than you would if you were eating with the spoon. The child still has to get used to eating with cutlery
Step 3. Give your child some food to practice
Put a small amount of food on a plate so that the child can practice with the spoon. This will help him if he accidentally hits the plate and spills the contents.
Prepare another plate containing more food and set it aside. When using the spoon to eat the small amount of food on his plate, add a little more from the second
Step 4. Stay close to him as he practices the spoon
The child will most likely get used to using the spoon quickly. However, you should stay with him while he exercises, so you can help him with bigger bites or tilt the cutlery the right way when food is in danger of spilling.
The child will most likely continue eating disorderly until he reaches the age of two and a half or three
Method 2 of 5: Teach Your Child to Use the Fork
Step 1. Choose the right fork for your child
When choosing this cutlery, get one that has a wide handle with a rubber coating to make it easier to grip.
Look for baby forks with metal tips instead of plastic ones so they fit well into the food, but choose them with blunt or rounded tips so they are not dangerous to use
Step 2. Have him use his fork immediately after he has started eating with the spoon
Show him how to get into the food and grab it on the plate. It may take some time for him to understand the difference between fork and spoon. So, chances are he'll try to use it the same way he uses the spoon. Here are some foods to give your child so that he can practice skewering what he eats:
- Boiled or cooked vegetables, such as potatoes or carrots, cut into chunks.
- Pieces of fruit, such as cantaloupe, apples, watermelon, or bananas.
- Chicken nuggets and small pieces of bread.
Step 3. Help your child maintain a positive attitude
Try not to discourage the child by giving him foods that are difficult to eat with a fork (see the previous step). Avoid complicated foods to fork with a fork to keep you positive and motivated. When he is able to eat harder foods, praise him for his prowess.
Spaghetti can be difficult to turn with a fork. Try to stand next to your child to support and encourage him when he eats them
Method 3 of 5: Find a Place to Practice
Step 1. Establish a distraction-free, easy-to-clean area
When your child is practicing or teaching him to eat, try to prepare the area where you feed him to lessen your frustration (and work!) And make the most of his successes, which is the most important part of all. 'experience. While he eats, make sure there are no other things on the table or nearby that can distract him.
Step 2. Protect against falling food
Place a mat or towel under the baby's plate. This will make it easier to clean. You can also protect your baby from spilling food by putting on a bib that covers almost the entire chest, so he won't get his clothes dirty.
If you don't have a bib, dress it in older clothing that you don't care too much about. That way, you won't have to bother removing stains if food spills on you
Step 3. Make room for your child to all eat together
Have the child sit at the table with the whole family. Sure, lunch will likely last longer because you will have to wait for his baby food to finish, but it's important that he sees each family member eating with cutlery.
Keep in mind that you and the whole family are his examples. Show him how to use cutlery so that he learns by observing
Step 4. Encourage and praise your child as they learn to eat with cutlery
Encouragement and praise are the key to helping the child with his intent. When he finishes eating alone, albeit in a messy way, praise him and tell him he did a good job. This will give him confidence when he eats next time.
Method 4 of 5: Making Meal Time Positive
Step 1. Create an eating plan
By doing this, you will teach your child that eating is a part of daily life and that it is something they will need to be able to do on their own as they grow up.
However, just because eating is a daily necessity doesn't mean it doesn't have to be fun. Choose colorful cutlery, plates and bowls that your child can learn to eat with. Look for them with fun drawings, perhaps with images of dinosaurs or other animals
Step 2. Support your child when he wants to be independent
There will be days when your baby will want to eat alone and others when you may find that he or she is not yet able to. Use his desire to eat alone to commit to learning.
Be prepared for her desire for independence can be confusing. Remember that you are teaching him something important, so a little sauce on the tablecloth is worth it
Step 3. Remember that mistakes are not a problem
Reassure the child when he makes a mistake, no matter how messy he has made. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes and keep practicing.
Try not to be discouraged when you make mistakes and food flies all over the place. While it can be tedious to clean it, learning how to use cutlery is essential in the early part of a child's life. Maintain a positive attitude to keep your child trying
Step 4. Explain what you do while you eat
Tell him why you choose to use the spoon instead of the fork when you eat cereal with milk. Likewise, explain the need to use a fork when eating pasta.
If you help your child understand your choices, you will help them make their own choices in the future
Step 5. Be patient and reasonable
Be tolerant when eating and reasonable in your expectations. You can't expect them to finish all the gruel in five minutes just because you've made it so. Know that feeding time can be daunting for a child. The important thing is to make sure it is enjoyable for you and for him.
Step 6. Try making some variations to his favorite foods
If he likes spaghetti, try feeding him another type of pasta or cooking it with a different sauce. If she loves bananas, add them to pancakes or yogurt. Doing so will stimulate his interest in food while he continues to practice with cutlery.
Method 5 of 5: Finding out if your child is ready to use the cutlery
Step 1. Have him eat with his hands before allowing him to use the spoon
On average, children are ready to use the spoon when they are about 12-15 months of age. However, if you have never given your child any treats, you should do so before you start teaching him to use the spoon. By eating a few treats with his hands, he will learn to bring food to his mouth. This kind of food includes:
- Pieces of fruit and vegetables.
- Dry biscuits and cereals.
Step 2. Look for signs that the child is willing to use the spoon
After he gets used to eating with his hands, you will notice that he will start looking at the cutlery you use to eat. He may also express a desire to hold a spoon. If this happens, allow it to give it a try.
Be prepared for chaos and always remember to applaud his efforts
Step 3. Realize that the child will take time to develop dexterity with the cutlery
By the 18th month he will most likely understand how to use the spoon correctly, although there will still be times when he will return to using his hands to eat alone. He will do this because his abilities are not yet fully developed at this stage.
