Finger Feeding
“Finger Foods”
Eating with the fingers allows your child to enhance skills such as coordination, grasp and independence.

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Introduce
foods that are easy to hold.
Point
to the food and then to your child’s mouth.
Guide
your child’s hand to pick up the food and bring it to his mouth.
Cut
your own food into pieces and present it so your child can be part of the
family meal.
Demonstrate
eating with your fingers.
Verbally
direct your child to pick up the food, put it to his mouth and chew it.
Feed your child and allow him to feed you.
Introduce
finger snacks during play.
Encourage
your child to feed dolls and stuffed animals.
Allow
your child to put fingers in things like ice cream, yogurt, etc. Have your
child lift the foods off his fingers.
Keep
non-refrigerated (goldfish, cereal) snacks in a bowl. Place the snack where
your child can reach it. This will allow your child to finger feed throughout
the day.