Determine the willingness of the child to eat independently
Before teaching a child to eatindependently, it is important to make sure that he is ready for this step. Of course, all children develop at different rates. But in general, the age from 10 months to one and a half years is considered optimal for this.
It is important to be patient in order to teach a child to eat independently. Photo: Getty You can determine whether a child is ready to eat independently by the following signs:
- confidently holds a spoon;
- with the joy of eating the lure;
- actively shows interest in adult food and cutlery;
If you ignore and do not encourage your child's attemptseat on his own, he may refuse a spoon for a long time. Therefore, it is important not to miss a convenient moment to help the baby master this skill. If the child is not ready to eat on his own, you cannot force him. Forced feeding provokes problems with the psyche and gastrointestinal tract.
Basic rules for teaching a child to eat independently
Psychologists know how to teach eatingindependently even the most mischievous baby. They recommend following simple rules that will help make this process easier. First of all, it is important to remain calm. You cannot raise your voice or yell at the child if he is not very careful. Remember that the baby is just learning and support his endeavors with praise. Do not rush the child, because every movement for him is a great effort. Be patient. Choose convenient dishes and utensils for feeding. The following are suitable for this:
- small, shallow bowl;
- a spoon that corresponds to the age of the baby.
У ребенка не должно возникать трудностей из-за shape or size of the dishes. Eat at the same time as your baby, because children learn best by example. The child will try to repeat your actions, thereby improving their skills. Moreover, you will have a free minute to calmly eat lunch while the baby is busy with a spoon. Also, stick to the regime and set limits right away. You cannot watch TV or play with your phone while feeding. This worsens appetite and leads to digestive problems. In general, to figure out how to teach a baby to eat independently, you just need to take a closer look at him and understand how ready he is for this step.
