Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
Coauthors:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
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Inside: If your 2-year-old can’t use a spoon or fork, you might be worried if that’s normal. In this article, learn when toddlers should use utensils, and what to do if they don’t use them.
When a toddler learns to use utensils for the first time, they’re so proud of themselves! They feel accomplished and they are so cute when they do.
But, if your toddler is having trouble using utensils, or if they are flat-out refusing to use them, you’re probably wondering what’s normal and what’s not? When do toddlers use utensils? When should they be able to use utensils well?
Toddlers use utensils at different ages, but here are some general guidelines to help you know what to expect.
Between 6 and 12 months many toddlers and infants can use utensils (1).
Some families choose to introduce their toddler to utensils closer to ages 10 to 12 months, which is also fine.
If you haven’t introduced utensils yet to your toddler, that’s OK, you can start now.
Even before they have a pincer grasp, babies can grasp a spoon or fork in their hand. They may not have very good aim though, so a spoon is the best utensil for a baby!
Toddler self-feeding
As your baby becomes a toddler, they can continue to use spoons and even forks. Many toddlers want to use utensils like the ones they see adults using.
They may want to have their own toddler utensils or they may want to use your utensils!
Make sure to let your toddler use utensils, even if it is messy. Using a utensil is an important developmental skill that your toddler needs. Plus, getting messy is good for your toddler and can prevent picky eating from getting worse.
Some toddlers follow a different developmental path. Working with your child’s healthcare providers can help you know what to expect for your toddler.
At what age should toddlers feed themselves?
The age that a child will use utensils varies. Developmentally, here are some milestones as quoted by the Centers for Disease Control (2):
By 9 months, most babies can use fingers to “rake” food towards themselves.
By 12 months, most toddlers can drink from a baby cup without a lid, as you hold it. They can also pick up small bits of food between their thumb and pointer finger.
By 18 months, most toddlers can drink from a cup without a lid (with spills sometimes), feed themselves with their fingers, and try to use a spoon.
By 2 years, most toddlers can eat with a spoon.
By 3 years, most preschoolers can eat with a fork.
By 4 years, most preschoolers can serve themselves food and pour water, with adult supervision.
Your child may follow a different developmental path based on their body.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development, you can contact your pediatrician and explain your concerns.
How can I get my toddler to use utensils?
If your toddler prefers to use their hands, that is okay! Children often continue to use their hands to eat for many years. Adults use their hands to eat foods as well.
It is common for toddlers and kids to choose not to use utensils frequently.
When your toddler uses their hands to eat, it helps their body learn more about foods. This can help them learn to eat more foods and can prevent picky eating from getting worse.
If you have a picky eater, we have a free picky eater guide that can help you get your child on the road to eating more foods.
Tips on how to teach toddlers to use spoons and forks
Provide spoons and forks at most meals and snacks.
Model using spoons and forks during meals.
Instead of giving your child a food pouch, squeeze the pouch into a bowl and give them a spoon to use to eat the food.
Put the utensil in your child’s hand and gently hold it and move it toward their mouth.
Give your child other things to grasp onto outside of mealtimes such as drumsticks, bubble wands, crayons and paintbrushes.
Allow your toddler to practice with forks and spoons away from mealtimes with things like sand from a sandbox or water in the bath.
If your toddler is just learning to self-feed, you could pre-load a spoon or fork with food to help them eat.
If you have questions about your child’s development, you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns.
What utensils are best for toddlers?
There are many utensils that are good for toddlers. If you start giving your baby a spoon, there is a good chance that as your baby becomes a toddler, they will continue to use that spoon and others.
As your child gets older, they will be able to use different types of spoons and forks. They will probably feel very grown up and proud of themselves as they begin to use different utensils.
Check out our blog for a complete list of the best utensils for toddlers and kids. You’ll find some fun recommendations from our RD and OT that will help get your toddler engaged in their food.
Can utensils help with picky eating?
Utensils can actually help toddlers try new foods. When they get a utensil, they will want to use it! You can provide new foods and foods they are learning to like. They will be more likely to try it.
For more practical strategies to get your child to try new foods, check out our picky eating course BetterBites®. Learn how to reduce your mealtime struggles and reverse picky eating in your kids.
Utensils for children with texture sensitivity
Utensils can be a great tool for kids who might be sensitive to different textures, and a great option to help them build confidence and experience with new foods and textures.
For example, in the instance when a child doesn’t like touching certain “squishy” foods, using a utensil can help them feel comfortable when engaging with squishy foods without being nervous the food will touch their hands.
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian and has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color®, a public health resource that improves child and family nutrition and mental health. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color® she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics.
Inside: If your 2-year-old can’t use a spoon or fork, you might be worried if that’s normal. In this article, learn when toddlers should use utensils, and what to do if they don’t use them.
When a toddler learns to use utensils for the first time, they’re so proud of themselves! They feel accomplished and they are so cute when they do.
But, if your toddler is having trouble using utensils, or if they are flat-out refusing to use them, you’re probably wondering what’s normal and what’s not? When do toddlers use utensils? When should they be able to use utensils well?
Toddlers use utensils at different ages, but here are some general guidelines to help you know what to expect.
Article contents:
When toddlers start to use utensils
At what age toddlers feed themselves
How to get your toddler to use utensils
The best utensils for toddlers
Utensils and picky eating
Utensils for children with texture sensitivities
When do toddlers use utensils?
Between 6 and 12 months many toddlers and infants can use utensils (1).
Some families choose to introduce their toddler to utensils closer to ages 10 to 12 months, which is also fine.
If you haven’t introduced utensils yet to your toddler, that’s OK, you can start now.
Even before they have a pincer grasp, babies can grasp a spoon or fork in their hand. They may not have very good aim though, so a spoon is the best utensil for a baby!
Toddler self-feeding
As your baby becomes a toddler, they can continue to use spoons and even forks. Many toddlers want to use utensils like the ones they see adults using.
They may want to have their own toddler utensils or they may want to use your utensils!
Make sure to let your toddler use utensils, even if it is messy. Using a utensil is an important developmental skill that your toddler needs. Plus, getting messy is good for your toddler and can prevent picky eating from getting worse.
Related: Get tips for cleaning messy eaters after meals.
Some toddlers follow a different developmental path. Working with your child’s healthcare providers can help you know what to expect for your toddler.
At what age should toddlers feed themselves?
The age that a child will use utensils varies. Developmentally, here are some milestones as quoted by the Centers for Disease Control (2):
Your child may follow a different developmental path based on their body.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development, you can contact your pediatrician and explain your concerns.
How can I get my toddler to use utensils?
If your toddler prefers to use their hands, that is okay! Children often continue to use their hands to eat for many years. Adults use their hands to eat foods as well.
It is common for toddlers and kids to choose not to use utensils frequently.
When your toddler uses their hands to eat, it helps their body learn more about foods. This can help them learn to eat more foods and can prevent picky eating from getting worse.
If you have a picky eater, we have a free picky eater guide that can help you get your child on the road to eating more foods.
Tips on how to teach toddlers to use spoons and forks
If you have questions about your child’s development, you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns.
What utensils are best for toddlers?
There are many utensils that are good for toddlers. If you start giving your baby a spoon, there is a good chance that as your baby becomes a toddler, they will continue to use that spoon and others.
As your child gets older, they will be able to use different types of spoons and forks. They will probably feel very grown up and proud of themselves as they begin to use different utensils.
Check out our blog for a complete list of the best utensils for toddlers and kids. You’ll find some fun recommendations from our RD and OT that will help get your toddler engaged in their food.
Can utensils help with picky eating?
Utensils can actually help toddlers try new foods. When they get a utensil, they will want to use it! You can provide new foods and foods they are learning to like. They will be more likely to try it.
For more practical strategies to get your child to try new foods, check out our picky eating course BetterBites®. Learn how to reduce your mealtime struggles and reverse picky eating in your kids.
Utensils for children with texture sensitivity
Utensils can be a great tool for kids who might be sensitive to different textures, and a great option to help them build confidence and experience with new foods and textures.
For example, in the instance when a child doesn’t like touching certain “squishy” foods, using a utensil can help them feel comfortable when engaging with squishy foods without being nervous the food will touch their hands.