“Fork it Over, and Get The Scoop!”
- Give your child opportunities to use utensils throughout the day.
- During play, have your child pretend to cook, eat, and serve. Take turns feeding your child and having him feed dolls and stuffed animals.
- When first introducing a spoon, give your child foods that will stick to the utensil (e.g., yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes).
- Point to utensils, then to the foods, and then to your child’s mouth.
- Put the utensil in your child’s hand. Scoop or stab the food and guide it to your child’s mouth using hand over hand assistance.
- When introducing a fork, use textured foods, such as cheese, meats, fruit, vegetables that are easy to stab with the utensil.
- Model scooping with a spoon and stabbing with a fork.
- Position the utensil between your child’s thumb and first two fingers.
- Make sure that you put your child’s food in a sturdy bowl that has a lip and does not move. This makes it easier for your child to scoop and stab the foods.
- Verbally encourage your child to use a spoon or fork when he prefers to fingerfeed.
- Give your child utensils at each meal to allow him the opportunity to practice, practice, practice.
