Independently Feeding with a Spoon and Fork

“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.