Toddlers and utensils

[Athena-Nadine]

This may seem like a sill question, but do any of you have any recommendations for encouraging Robert to use his utensils at mealtimes? He just plays with them and throws them on the floor and eats everything with his hands. He's almost 21 months old.

[Tanya]

some kids are more comfortable with being messy that others....

I would have adamp towel and clean his hands and face often while he's eating and make a big fuss about using a spoon like a big boy " and 'doesn't it feel nice not to be sticky"

etc etc...
don't expect any miricles though...

:)

[Athena-Nadine]

Miracles? Oh, goodness, no! I'd just like some hope that he will be able to spoon things like soup into his mouth on his own one day. :lol:

[Lunacie]

Yeah, some kids... some are ready to use utensils pretty regular at that age, but most aren't ready until they're 3 or 4. They'll play with them, and put the food on the fork or spoon with their fingers, but eventually they get it. It helps to have them eat with you and see you using utensils. And talk to them saying things like, "Look, I have a fork! Do you have a fork too?" and "I have some eggs, do you have some eggs? Look, I'm using my fork to eat my eggs."

My youngest granddaughter did some strange things. She would use her utensils when I took her out to lunch and did a wonderful job with them, but she wouldn't use them at home, and she wouldn't use them at lunch if mommy went along with us to eat out. **shrug** Kids.

[Tanya]

Modeling is a good idea, paired with statements like: "I LOVe to use my fork, that way when i'm done eating I'm still clean"

[Ceres]

You worry way too much :lol: I am fairly certain that if you do absolutely nothing, he will be choosing to use utensils on a regular basis by high school

[LadyWillow]

Some kids just like playing with them more simply because they aren't quite curious enough about them yet. Some kids still hate using utensils when they hit four, so it happens. I'd just emphasize how you and the rest of your family like to use your fork and spoon to eat and how it' s so fun. You could even play a game like restaurant where you have to use silverwear to help encourage the idea. Make it fun and continue encouragement at mealtimes. Might not happen right away but it should start to take hold sometime.

[moonchild]

praise works for my 2 yr old....if she is using a fork i make sure i notice it and say something about it. that being said, i figured out that she eats better with a fork and likes to stab things....eep!

[Athena-Nadine]

You worry way too much :lol: I am fairly certain that if you do absolutely nothing, he will be choosing to use utensils on a regular basis by high school

:rotfl: No doubt. I was just never sure if this was something they learn on their own from watching or if I actually had to teach them somehow.

[Nitefalle]

It can be very daunting to think that we have to teach them something we consider a basic motor skill. My stepson is a few days shy of 21 months and I only let him use a spoon with certain foods (yogurt, oatmeal) that will actually stick to the untensil when he turns it upside down to shove it in his mouth. I hold the bowl directly under his chin and I have a regular spoon to catch any messy glops mid-air, but with every spoonful he makes to his mouth, I praise him and tell him I'm so proud of him, and he gets a big smile on his face. I don't leave him with a plate by himself yet, though. He thinks he can throw the plate around with the food still on it :lol:

[Amethyst Rose]

I'm pretty sure that I fed Quintin myself until he was 2 and older.... He eventually picked up how to use them himself, obviously, cuz he feeds himself now.... I didn't teach him specifically, he just picked it up.

[aluokaloo]

just strip him naked. you won't have to do as much laundry that way. :D To answer the question what I did with Shannon was pull her high chair up to the table, and help her with the spoon, you know wrapping her hand around it and scooping it up to her mouth, also if you have any neices, nephews and kid cousins that might be a little older that already know how to use forks and spoons, having him watch them will be helpful at family get togethers. copy-catting isn't just a compliment you know. :) Best of luck!