Dh and I were talking about this at dinner tonight. Natalie is almost 13mths. and uses a spoon pretty well. The rest of the time, if it's appropriate, she just finger feeds herself. (Green beans, peas, for instance)
At what age do kids stop using their fingers as the main utensil and go to using fork/spoon all the time? Or at what age should we be encouraging using the fork more?
It just doesn't seem developmentally appropriate for her right now, but we really don't have a clue! TIA

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 09:42 pm:

This varies from child to child, depending on fine motor development, but I'd say the norm is between 2-4 years. Even then, they need reminders. Heck, I still catch my kids (7 & almost 9) eating with their fingers on occasion! LOL!

By Vicki on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 10:16 pm:

Dd is 10 and she would rather eat with her fingers too. LOL

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 11:04 pm:

I know they were by the time they were two and it sort of gradually happened, the year they were one. At one, they weren't, but by 2, they were. I can't tell you exactly when it happened.

By Kaye on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 10:09 am:

hmmm my seven year old still resorts to his fingers more than I would like We went to luby's last night and he ordered brocolli, they give you one large spear, he picked it up and started eating it like an ice cream cone!

By Mommmie on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 01:24 pm:

My 10-year-old still prefers eating with his fingers. I have to remind him not to.

By Tink on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 02:32 pm:

My kids were all using a fork exclusively (well, most of the time ) by the time they turned three. I'm not sure even at two that they were using a fork very well, all the time.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 02:56 pm:

we haven't even practiced much with a spoon or fork...pediatrician never mentioned it, nor was it on their "checklist" sheet I get every time we visit. it's a good idea to start though...i started early with a sippy cup and he was a pro before he even turned 1.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 04:52 pm:

Thanks everyone. Natalie does pretty well with a spoon (messy of course), and really thinks she's cool when she does it, too! Now at least I know what to expect. Thanks again!