I have twin 16 month old boys that will not use their spoon or fork to eat. They want to hold their spoon or fork in one hand, but end up just stirring with it and digging in with their other hand. We remind them to use their spoon or fork, that's usually when they stir. We've been giving them spoons and forks to hold on to I think since before they turned 1. For a little while they were showing lots of interest in trying to eat with it...it seems like we've taken a huge step backwards. When they do get a spoonful I praise them. We sit right there with them and feed them at the same time...I dare say we'd have quite the disaster to clean up if we left them to figure it out! At what age do they start feeding themselves? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help!
A. =)
They are right on track & learning! Let them practice feeding themselves w/ a spoon/fork no matter how much they get in their mouths/on the floor & just "clean" up the disaster!
let them experiment - guide them, don't force them - they will figure it out
HI A., my 6 yo son still has to be reminded to use his fork! Just be patient with them, they will get it in time! Good Luck~
No worries at 16 months! According to the Denver screening kids should be using a spoon or fork between the ages of 18-24 months. I have an 18th month old and I always give him utensils at every meal. He will use them very well one time and not so good the next. Try putting bites of food on the fork and handing it to them. Overall, don't worry about it.
Hi, A. -
I'm the proud mama of twin 24-month girls. Even at 2, the spoon/fork work is hit or miss. They use them quite well sometimes, and other times, just can't be bothered. I think it may happen when they are REALLY hungry, they just go to the most efficient method of getting food to mouth - hands! I wish I could say it would get better soon, but my almost five year old girl sometimes needs to be reminded, too. My advice would be not to fret about it too much.
Good luck!!
Some children at that age do not have the motor skills to manipulate a spoon or fork.
I would just suggest you keep trying but do not get upset with them. It takes time for them to get these skills.
You might even want to play games with them to work on that skill like using a spoon and cheerios for snack time to play spoon and feed... that way they practice spooning food and practice turning their arm and wrist to get the food in their mouths with little mess.
my grandson eats with his hands i dont think its a big deal at this time their hand eye coordiantion si not that great and he gets frustrated . i figure when he is old enough and coordinated he willuse utensils he loves to copey and od things everyone else does so i dont think he will have a problem with it. i put a large towel on the floor and sit him ther to let him eat. if he makes a mess i just shakeitout
My son didn't really start using utensils consistently until sometime after he turned 2. Before then he'd eat but play. As long as food gets into the mouth for the most part I just had him eat in his diaper, put plastic sheets down, and let him have at it.
I agree. I have twin girls who are 20 months old. It's hit or miss with their utensils. But definitley ALWAYS expect a mess! lol Don't worry, they'll get it right one of these days. Just enjoy the experience.
Hi A.,
First of all congrats and your doing GREAT. I am a mother of 3 1/2 year old twin boys too. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed! As far as to spoon/fork thing goes, it just takes time. My twins did exactly the same thing. It seemed like every time we sat down to eat they would hold the spoon/fork in one hand and actually eat with the other hand. Thank god I have a husband that took intrest and help me with every aspect of their lives. We sat down one day and started making a list of everything we could try to get them to stop eating with their hands and actually use the spoon/fork they were holding. We tried everything from taking their plate away when we saw them using their hands to actually feeding them. We finally figured out that they just needed time. I also have a 9 year old son who was a "GREAT OLDER BROTHER", he would sit with them and show them how he eats with a fork. My husband and I would also sit in front of them and "show" them how it's done. Finally, I think they began to see that everyone uses a spoon/fork and only babies use their hands. Since they were "big boys" now they needed to use their spoon/fork. Unfortunately, it took a little while (about 3-4 months total), but they finally figured it out. One of the things you could try is to take away dessert (if you do dessert)if they continue to use their hands. That also worked in helping my twins along. Good luck with everything, I'd love to say it gets eaiser as they get older, but I would not be telling the truth. Even though as they get older everything gets more fun and enjoyable, but it's still very hard and time consuming. Enjoy them!
