S/O Getting toddler to use utensils rather than fingers

[curiouscanadian]

I've been thinking about this for awhile but the other thread reminded me. How do you get your toddler to use their utensils?

DS has used utensils for quite awhile (spoon and fork) but lately he seems to be reverting more and more often to using his hands. It makes since because it is faster/easier for him, but if he doesn't practice with the utensils they never WILL get easier!

I remind him fairly often to use his fork and it will last for a bite or two but then he's right back to using his hands. (Spoons aren't too much of an issue as anything I give him a spoon for isn't edible with fingers only lol) Obviously he can't eat with his fingers forever but he eats so well (variety and volume) I'd hate to turn mealtimes into a huge battle. Any tips?

Oh, and I should maybe mention that he uses the desert-size spoons and forks from our regular set. They're pretty light and the same size as the one set of toddler utensils we bought him so I don't think that's an issue.

[woodchick]

I don't mind my kids using their fingers to eat- at least they're eating!! But I did find with DD1 that 'alternative' utensils usually went over better than just forks. She tended to eat more with chopsticks, toothpicks, tongs, whatever than she did with a fork.

She's four now and uses her 'regular' utensils like a pro (as well as chopsticks! proper use of those was accidental!).

[just_lily]

I just keep giving them out. They get it eventually. They only time I ask specifically for her to use a utensil is if she is sticking her hand in yoghurt or something like that. But otherwise I just put them out and she usually chooses to use them.

I also keep all of my kids utensils (we have a lot due to the day care - I just use the Ikea kids ones) in a lower drawer so she can help herself. She loves to get her own 'poon'.

[curiouscanadian]

Originally Posted by just_lily

But otherwise I just put them out and she usually chooses to use them.

But that's the problem. I put them out but he is more and more consistently choosing NOT to use them.

[crunchy_mommy]

I wouldn't worry about it... DS can use a fork perfectly but often perfers to use his hands. He actually isn't a big fan of spoons and prefers an edible dipper (chip or piece of bread or whatever) even though he doesn't actually eat it

I do notice if I give him just 3 bite-size pieces of food he's more likely to use a fork -- as opposed to, say, a pile of food or food not cut small enough -- that's the only trend I really notice with it... Oh and he doesn't eat much for lunch so he seems to have more patience for the fork then rather than dinner time when he's hungrier.

ETA: On the rare occasions we eat out he actually INSISTS on using utensils (both spoon & fork) which I find amusing... maybe our casual dinners just don't motivate him to eat properly -- you could try setting the table extra nicely & have everyone act like they're in a restaurant & see if that makes a difference??

[dividedsky]

i give my boys utensils with meals where they are appropriate and encourage them to use them... get all excited when they do, etc... but if they go to using their hands it doesn't bother me too much. i figure they will get it in their own time. the window of time where it is acceptable to shovel mashed potatoes into one's face and make a glorious mess is short, so might as well let them enjoy it IMO!