Using Eating Utensils – How to Teach?
Parents can actively teach children to use spoons properly when eating.
Gently try to discourage them from eating with their fingers by showing them
how to use a spoon. It is better for young children not to use a fork as it can
be dangerous. Children using forks need careful parental supervision. Do not
leave a child unattended while she is using chop¬sticks. Do not allow children
to walk or run holding any pointed object. If they fall, they could seriously
injure themselves. It is the responsibility of parents to teach children to eat
properly and safely. If children are left to themselves, they will frequently eat
with their fingers, often wasting food, creating a mess, and developing habits
that will be difficult to break later on. Children who eat with their fingers may
continue to do so even when they are older. This can be embarrassing and
frustrating for both parents and child.