My daughter is 14 months old, we JUST started teaching her to use a spoon because it seems like all the other kids we know her age are already using them, however, her doctor hasn't brought it up yet and it hadn't even crossed our minds at her 12 month appointment. Is she behind in this area and also, when should we introduce the fork?
Thanks to all for the input, I'm definitely not worried anymore :).
She is definitely not behind... just keep offering her the fork or spoon with meals and eventually she will start using it. I use the take and toss ones and just rewash them... their forks are really more like sporks and my 26 month old does really well with them.
People stress to hard about being "with" everyone else! Just do what comes natural, who cares if suzy down the street uses a fork first! It is not like she will still be eating noodles with her fingers in highschool. :)
I wouldn't stress about it either. Just give them to her and let her see you eating with spoons and forks. She'll figure it out.
No, I don't think she is behind. My 25 month old still uses her hands more than her spoon/fork. I'd say she really just got a hang of the fork and spoon in the past few months. You can lay the utensils out there, and use them to feed her, but I wouldn't expect her to be able to do it herself yet. Remember, every kid is different and reaches milestones at different times. As tough as it can be, don't compare your kid to your friends kids (I do it all the time). She'll get there in her own time.
I did the fork first b/c the spoon was such a mess.
its easier to stab than it is to scoop.
I don't think it's a big deal for a toddler to not eat with a fork, so I really wouldnt stress over it,
Nope, she's not behind at all. Your doctor probably won't bring it up at the 15-month appointment, either. She's got a while before she needs to be really good at eating with utensils.
My daughter didn't master the spoon until around 18-20 months. She is now 22 months old and is a champ with her spoon, but does not use a fork at all. I honestly haven't been pushing her much with the fork- I give it to her once in a while, but she feeds herself chunks of food just fine with her fingers.
Our son will be 2 the end of this month. He holds his fork/spoon in one hand and eats with the other LOL! I don't really care, as long as he is eating I'm fine with it! If it is an easy food...like pizza or meat that he can stab, I ask him to use his fork, but if it is rice or corn or something a little more difficult - I don't even go there!
