Teaching your baby to eat with a spoon on his own is very important, since this will not only make life easier for parents, but also for himself. Moreover, such an important process is an integral part of full and comprehensive development.
To teach your baby to eat with a spoon on his own, it is important to follow certain rules and conditions.
- Preparation stage. It is very important to prepare meals that your baby loves. Also, during training, it is necessary to prepare food of a certain consistency, which is easily picked up with a spoon, so that the child does not get dirty and easily scoops up food. If necessary, the baby's first attempts to eat independently can be carried out in the form of a game or accompanied by entertainment.
- When teaching a baby to eat with a spoon on his own, it is very important for parents not to push or scold him, because he should feel safe and calm. In order for him to have a good appetite and the desire to eat himself, it is important to praise and support him. Patience can help your child learn faster.
- It should not be forgotten that all children are different, therefore, the age and training schedule for each child should be selected individually. The child must want to learn a new skill himself. To do this, you need to observe his behavior and pick up the moment when he shows interest in the spoon and the process of eating. In the first moments of the independent feeding process, the child should be helped a little by supporting his hand with a spoon.
- To consolidate the skill, you can use imitation of holding a spoon in games and with toys. It is imperative that parents do not leave their baby alone with food and a spoon. The child may need the help of an adult, or he may get tired of holding the spoon on his own for a long time. It is also important to choose a convenient plate and a small spoon so that it is easy for the child to pick up food and not spill it on himself. For the first time, it is best to cook porridge or mashed potatoes.
- To make it interesting for the baby to eat on his own, you can lay out the dish in beautiful and interesting shapes. The appearance of the plate and spoon is also of great importance, it is important that they evoke positive emotions.
Teaching a child to handle a spoon on their own is an important developmental stage. Self-feeding helps to make life much easier for parents, who can now do other things while the baby eats himself.