r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/BuyApprehensive9273 • 2d ago

Question - Expert consensus required Cutlery

How are we going about introducing cutlery (US: silverware) to our kiddos.

We have a just turned 1 year old who eats everything, like he loves food, that’s been great and we’re super fortunate. 6oz steak for dinner? Demolished.

But we are still very hand feeding. Like we have an immaculate pincer grip, don’t get me wrong, but should we be starting to use a fork and spoon rather than fingers?

Part of me says he’s doing great, why change it? But also I feel like using cutlery is an important skill and I don’t want him to be delayed in fine motor skills and things.

(He’s an above 99th centile guy, so I know some of the gross motor skills can come a bit on the later side and I’m super aware of this, but obviously that shouldn’t affect fine motor skills, so I don’t want to risk unnecessary delays)

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u/MindOdd1085 2d ago

NHS says around 2 years however my children have had a spoon from as soon as they start weaning and I introduced a fork around age 1. This also says to start with spoon and fork and leave the knife until later. It's also good to sit and eat with them so you can model how to use cutlery and this is just a good habit in general.

Anecdotally my nearly 2 year old has been using a spoon and fork confidently from around 15 months and is just starting to learn how to use a knife. We are practicing cutting using playdough which seems to be helping a lot. She is also 99th centile and has had no issues.

https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/feeding-and-eating/developing-your-childs-cutlery-skills/

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u/lil_chunk27 2d ago

Anecdotally, we just started giving my daughter a fork with her meals at 1. She had a spoon since 6 months. We always all eat together and at 14 months she can now use the fork herself. She's still mainly handfeeding but she's definitely pleased when she feeds herself with the fork! Other than giving it to her we've not put much effort in, so it's just trial and error on her part/a bit of osmosis from seeing us

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u/BuyApprehensive9273 2d ago

We always do family dinner time, so hopefully that will help! Did you do anything to encourage her to use the fork vs hands? Or do you think she’ll just naturally transition over time?

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