Using a knife and fork

Learning to use cutlery is an important skill that takes time and practice.

Some children may find this difficult because of challenges with hand strength, coordination, learning new skills or simply because they have had limited opportunities to practise.

Remember that messy eating is a normal part of learning!

Before you start:

• make sure your child is sitting comfortably with good support
• make sure the table is at the right height and the plate doesn't slide around - a non-slip mat can help
• use child-sized cutlery or cutlery with chunky handles if needed
• eat together when possible so your child can watch and copy others
• allow extra time and try not to rush

Focus on your child's effort rather than perfection, celebrate small successes and allow plenty of opportunities to practise. Little and often is the best way to build confidence and independence.