When should a child be introduced to silverware?

Answer 1

When they can hold it steady in their hand. A spoon should be used first. Always supervise when small children are using silverware. Please don't let them walk or run with silverware in their mouth, in case they slip or fall.

Answer 2

Babies should be given silverware when they show an interest. For some babies this is at 4 months or earlier -this isn't to say there should be FOOD on the spoon/fork but they can certainly play with spoons and forks while other people eat.

Other babies may not show an interest until after a year.

Most babies will want to try to feed themselves with a spoon/fork between 6-9 months.

Answer 3

You should give your child plastic silverware as soon as they can hold it to get them used to it. I started giving my son a spoon while I fed him with another one. He's now 21 months and uses real forks perfectly. He's been using real silverware since he was about 13 months.

Answer 4

My daughter will be 20 months on the 14th and I have recently started leeting her use real silverware (not plastic ) shes doing well , however I would suggest you keep close attention , they are such buggers at this age , hehehe

Answer 5

Our boys were given a spoon at 7 months. At 11 months they decided they didn't need mummy or daddy to help feed them, and feed themselves.
They started using a spork at 14 months, and then introduce a normal fork at 18 months. Now they are 2 we have started teaching them to use a knife. Don't worry it's a kid safe one!!

Answer 6

We gave our baby a spoon to hold starting at around 7-8 months. Many months later we allowed her to try and put the food on the spoon her self and this is messy but it helps develop the skiils.

Answer 7

I think mine were maybe 12-15 months before we really started working with them to learn how to use a spoon. Before that, though, we started giving them a spoon to hold pretty early, and if they seemed a little interested in wanting to try it themselves, we let them. I'm wanting to say the first time we did that was around the time they were 10 months old.

Answer 8

At 1 year old, my son was using a spoon. It was messy. By 18 mos, he was using toddler forks and spoons.

Answer 9

I guess it's probably different for all children but my son is 15 months old and he is trying to feed himself. It is seriously messy and it's no fun if you are in a hurry but I guess the more practice he gets the sooner he will learn.

Answer 10

I gave my girl a spoon when we started introducing non boob food. She would hold it, drop it, throw it, attempt feeding etc. Basically, as soon as they can articulate their fingers is the best time.