When to start using silverware consistently?

[mamaoftwins]

So, my guys are 14mos. They can use a baby fork if we stab the food and hand them the fork - they will then put the fork in their mouth and eat. They haven't really done any "stabbing" themselves. Spoons seem to be only for playing right now - moving food around the tray, throwing, etc. Most foods now seem to be finger foods anyway.

Are they on target for their age? When can I expect them to get better with silverware?

I give them their own fork and spoon at each meal, and I use a different set to "help" them eat. Is this ok? Should I be doing something different?

Thanks!

[pastrygirl]

My son is 2.5 and only just started requesting utensils for every meal. Today he ate fries with a fork! He did not want to use his fingers, LOL!

I think he's been eating well with a spoon or fork for the past 8 to 12 months. It's probably within the past 8 months that he's been able to eat yogurt and applesauce by himself with a spoon without making a mess. I just give him dessert spoons and forks, since we have a ton of those. I stopped using baby spoons a while back; I can't remember when. He was adamant about wanting a mommy or daddy spoon!

[trales]

DD has always refused to touch her food and wants it on a fork or spoon, we offer help, sometimes she accepts. Kids are so different, you could always have silverware out and see what they do. BTW, DD will only use baby stuff that looks just like ours, I found stainless small stuff at IKEA and a craft fair. She will not use coating or "baby" stuff.

[egoldber]

When they yell "FORK!!!!!!!!!!!!! FORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And I also only use small versions of real flatware. "Baby" utensils are just a waste IMO. I have some small salad forks from an old utensil set that are the perfect size for toddlers.

[mamaoftwins]

Originally Posted by egoldber

When they yell "FORK!!!!!!!!!!!!! FORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ok, so it sounds like I shouldn't worry about them using utensils consistently for awhile.

I'm using take n toss plastic stuff now (that I rewash, no tossing), perhaps I will graduate them to mini versions of flatware in a few months.

Thanks, ladies!

[amandabea]

DD will be 2 at the end of the month and has been using a fork and spoon independently for about 5-6 months (that was also about the time we switched from plastic stuff to the small regular silverware). However, she has been "holding" them for closer to a year - initially holding one spoon while I fed her with another and then holding her own while she ate with her fingers. she's in daycare and when she moved to the toddler room at 1 they started eating independently -- mostly finger foods, but occassionally soup and yogurt -- so I think that helped her to be more proficient.

[Melaine]

My girls enjoy the tactile pleasure of eating with their fingers most of the time. They are perfectly capable of using utensils, but find such complications less entertaining.