Encouraging Untensil Use at Mealtime

Remember Parents- Be Patient, this isn't a spring, it's a marathon.

As your child gets older, his interest in using utensils at mealtime is going to increase. However, getting him to use a utensil is not always as simple as it seems. Most parents struggle with convincing their children to use utensils. Luckily, there is a way to strike your child's interest in eating with a spoon and fork. Understanding the reasons why children do not like to use a fork and a spoon is the first step toward winning the finger-food battle.

Children naturally want to touch everything, not just baby boy's but little girls as well. This is completely normal at a young age since their senses are so easily enticed by feeling the texture of the food. They enjoy squishing it around, and most usually like to experiment to see how far they can throw it, as well as to see how many times they can get their mommy's and daddy's to pick it up off the floor. A parent or caregiver must first understand that when children do not seem interested in using a utensil that they are not misbehaving. They have to become interested in the concept of eating with a fork and spoon before attempting to give it a try.

The best way to go about helping them to become more interested is to allow them to play with their food to an extent, but also sit down and take time out to explain to them what the utensils are for. Show them that you eat with a utensil at dinnertime. Really put an emphasis on eating with a fork and spoon so that they become more interested. Demonstrate to them how it is done. Naturally, you're probably going to have to give this a try more than one time.

It is very common for a toddler to reject new things in the beginning. The key is to keep trying. Act as if eating with utensils is a lot of fun. Create a sing-a-long at mealtime that helps to provoke the child's interest. Eventually, your child will not be as intimidated by using a utensil. They will look at it as something fun and not something that they have to do.

Be Patient
Just when your child seems to be getting used to the idea of using a utensil, he may give up altogether. Be patient because this is also normal. Chances are that within a few days, your child will resume their efforts. Another thing that may be discouraging is the size of the utensil. Make sure that you purchase spoons and forks that are small enough for the child to grasp. You may have to experiment with using different shapes and colors until your child decides what he or she prefers the most. The child may also become frequently upset because of his inability to hold the utensil properly and use it exactly the way he should. When this occurs, soothe him and encourage him to keep trying by showing him how it is done.

At this particular stage in your child's life, he is growing quickly and soaking everything in, so it is very easy to become overwhelmed. First it was learning to bottle feed now it's sloppy mealtime. Before you know it, your child will be a pro at using utensil and all of your hard work will pay off. Just remember that it takes time and patience more than anything else.