Silverware

My son is 3 1/2 anf is just getting the real hang of using it properly. My son hated plastic kids silverware, so instead i bought him some kids metal silverware. The plastic silverware may be kid safe but it is very hard to use even for an adult. he loves the metal silvare. The handles are shorter and the fork actually picks up the food. He still sometimes wants to use his hands, but we try to explain to him that we use our silverwareas as much as possible and only some foods are allowed to be eaten with our hands. My son like yours is not fond of the spoon. but he does know how to use it. i think for them the spoon is a little harder to use. The fork just stabs the food, but trying to get something scooped up can be hard. Just have patience with it and encourage the silverware use and he will be fine. There is no rule that says that they have to use baby silerware, let him use the big stuff if you are comfortable with it.

C.,

All you can do is offer him his silverware at meal times. If he is showing more interest in what you are using I would allow him to try. If he is showing interest then he is probably ready. Just keep trying.

Good Luck.

S.

SAHM of 3 boys

My son is almost 18 months and he likes a small real fork over the baby ones. He jabs is food and eats it from the fork for a little bit the puts it down and uses his fingers for a little while then he goes back to the fork. I've tried giving him a spoon but he likes the fork the best.

Our twins are 2.5 and they sort of get the fork and spoon thing. Ashleigh does a lot better than Austin. We have both plastic and child proof silverware. I got both from WalMart. The plastic ones are both disposable and fun...Zoo Pals are awesome and they love them. The child proof kind, I think are Gerber or something along those lines. They are fine with the spoons, but usually they hold their food and then stick it on the fork.
Ashleigh does pretty good with both and she has figured out how to stab her food and scoop it onto the spoon.
Austin will hold the fork and take his hand and pick up the food. He does better with the spoon.
It just takes practice and they will get it. A good tip though is when you go out to eat, bring your spoon or fork with you...since most places don't provide toddler forks / spoons. The disposable ones are great for that, plus you can put them in the dishwasher and save them for the next time.

Just my $0.02! Hope it helps!

Take care,
God Bless,
J. D
Mom to Ashleigh & Austin ~ 2.5
Pensacola, FL