Using a knife and fork together

Place the knife and fork in front of your child. You may find a personalised place mat useful. Non slip matting such as Dycem may also help to stabilise the plate.

Ideally, the knife should be held in your child’s dominant hand as the ‘sawing’ action requires the most skill. However, some children hold their fork in their dominant hand (as this is what they have been used to when not using a knife and may find swapping difficult) and this is fine as long as they are consistent with this.

Encourage your child to hold the knife and fork in a functional grip with their fingers positioned securely along the shaft of the cutlery – pointy finger pointing down. You may need to use a spot on the cutlery for placing fingers in a comfortable and functional position.

Take a photograph of the child holding the knife and fork correctly and use it as a visual prompt at the table during meal times.

Advice and strategies to help practicing using knife and fork

Initially, use soft foods that are easier to cut, for example fish fingers and cooked carrots. Then increase the size/hardness of vegetables to develop skills.

Develop a consistent routine for mealtimes.

Reduce distractions (such as the television) during mealtimes.

Use other children and adults in the house as examples of good use of cutlery.

Provide hand over hand assistance until your child can undertake the task independently but whenever possible try and encourage the child to do things for themselves.

Use a knife with a serrated edge such as a steak knife to make cutting easier.

Blu tac around the handles can provide a better grip and a guide as to where to place fingers.

Try not to be concerned about mess, all children are messy to begin with. • Consider reward charts for monitoring success and encouraging independence and participation in the task.

Practice away from mealtimes using playdough.