It's not a good thing to keep feeding your child until he grows up. Therefore, it is important for parents to teach their children to eat on their own. When done at the right time and in the right way, your little one can quickly get used to eating without the help of the mother. you know.
Mothers need to know that eating alone has tremendous benefits for children. Although it may seem simple, eating alone can teach him to be independent, develop fine motor skills (such as holding a spoon), and teach him about the texture and temperature of various foods.
This is the right time for children to eat alone
Learning to eat on their own generally can begin at the age of 9 months, when the child is able to grip his own food. At this age, you can give it finger food or food that is easy for him to grasp.
Children will begin to be interested in holding their own spoon, fork, or water bottle with both hands when they are 13–15 months old. Now, at this time, not forever the food will fill the spoon and he managed to put in the mouth. Not a bit of food will fall on the floor or table.
Although it may look dirty and messy, occasionally allowing children to eat alone is a good thing, how come. Stay patient and stay with your little one, Bun. Give good directions so that he understands how to eat himself properly and correctly.
Around 18–24 months of age, he will begin to get good at putting his own food in his mouth in a less messy way. However, your little one should always be supervised while learning to eat on their own.
Because they are still learning, sometimes children may choke, cough, or vomit. Later when the little one enters the age of 24-36 months, he will be more adept at eating and enjoying his own food without the need for help from the mother.
What is no less important to remember in skills like this is that you should not compare your little one's abilities with other children, even with those of the same age as him, because every child has a different rate of skill development.
Tips for Teaching Children to Eat Alone
nowSo, so that your little one is interested in trying their new skills for eating on their own, here are some tips that you can apply:
- wear bib or an apron on the little one's chest so that his clothes don't get dirty.
- Give your little one eating utensils that are safe and do not jeopardize their safety. Choose your favorite pattern and color.
- Choose non-sharp forks, spoons, glasses, and plates made especially for children.
- Start by providing a menu of foods that are soft and easy to reach when your little one spoons them, such as mashed potatoes, oatmeal, cereal, pasta, pudding, scrambled eggs, or cheese slices.
- Cut the food to be given into small pieces to reduce the risk of your little one choking.
- Let your little one reach for his own cutlery, even though later the food will spill and fall apart
- Keep watching and help him to keep the spirit to learn to eat alone.
Even though it's not easy, you should enjoy the process of teaching your child to eat on their own. Don't be surprised if your little one throws or throws their food or cutlery. Stay patient and consistent to teach him, yes, Bun.
Mothers do not need to force children to immediately be able to feed themselves. However, if at the age of 2 years he has not shown interest in eating on his own, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment, because your baby may have problems in his development.
