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Expert Q&A
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| By Harriet S. Worobey, M.A. Early Childhood Educator Director, the Nutritional Sciences Preschool | ||
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My son is trying to hold a fork all by himself. How can I teach him this skill? Any tips?
Lots and lots of practice is the key. Luckily, young children enjoy repeating things over and over as they become more and more successful. Young children do need the right equipment in order to be comfortable and successful feeding themselves. Chairs should have supports for children's feet or allow the children to have their feet on the floor. The table should be at a height that allows children to easily reach their food and eat it. Plates, bowls, cups and flatware should be child sized and made of unbreakable materials. Spoons should have short handles, blunt tips and rounded bowls. Forks should have short handles and short, blunt tines.
Some foods are too difficult for young children to get on a fork (such as peas), and they may get frustrated. A spoon may work better in those cases. If you find your child getting frustrated, either offer him a spoon or help him spear the food and let him bring it to his mouth. Try to let your child be as independent as possible but give the help that is needed before he gets too frustrated. Many other fine motor activities not associated with eating, such as coloring, cutting, stringing beads, putting pegs in pegboards, painting, buttoning and working puzzles, will also help to develop the fine motor coordination needed to feed himself accurately with a fork.
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