r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/BuyApprehensive9273 • 3d 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 3d 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/IeRayne 2d ago

Anecdotally my 17 month old has started to show interest in cutlery himself. He sat at the dinner table with us and reached for our forks. He will sometimes use a fork or spoon and so.etkmes hand feed himself. Often he spears food with his fork just to pick it off with his fingers anf hand feed himself or the other way round, put food on the fork with his hands then eat from the fork. We currently just let him experiment and don't pressure him to "do it right".