Teaching your toddler to use silverware is part of the process of teaching your child how to use table manners. Teaching your child how to use silverware can be a difficult task that can take months of practice, though the end result will make meals more enjoyable for the entire family. As your child's manual dexterity increases, they will mostly likely find pride in using "adult" tools to eat. In addition, once your child masters using silverware, clean-up will become easier as your child, your floor, and your counter top will no longer need to be cleaned of copious amounts of food. Before you get started, you should make sure that your child is developmentally ready to begin using silverware. Having unrealistic expectations about your child's dexterity will only result in frustration for both of you. Watch your child play. Monitor if your child is successfully picking up objects smaller than their palm, and if they are adequately able to manipulate these items. Also assess if your child has the language skills to be able to comprehend sets of directions. After assessing your child's ability to succeed at this task, follow the steps below to transition your child from finger foods to silverware.

Although your child may be ready to attempt using silverware to eat, they may not be ready for full-sized adult-weight forks, spoons, and knifes. Look around for a good quality children's set of silverware. These are usually plastic, though are of thicker and more resilient plastic that will not break when a child gets rough. Metal silverware is often too heavy and will discourage your child from using them. Make sure that the silverware that you buy your child does not contain lead or other harmful compounds or chemicals. Start your child with a small sized spoon, and once they are proficient with it's use, you can move on to a fork and eventually a dull children's butter knife. Remember that any object can be turned into a dangerous weapon for an over excited or rambunctious child. These objects should not be used unattended by a young child and should not be brought away from meals, as children can be injured by running with or playing with any pointed object. Also know that fast-food quality plastic utensils can easily be broken and ingested by a child. These should be avoided until your child is proficient in silverware use.

Teaching your child to use silverware is a process that can take months for full mastery. The following are ways that you can build on natural dexterity skills that your child is already developing:

• Cut your child's food into safe, bite-sized pieces. Remember that your child's trachea is about the size of their pinkie finger. Take extra caution with foods such as hot dogs that can easily choke your child. Remind your child to chew the food fully, regardless of whether they are using their hands or progressing to silverware.http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A443909

• Use only a spoon at first, even with foods that are typically eaten with a fork.

• Let them learn at their own pace. Some children quickly grasp the concept of using silverware while others may develop manual dexterity more slowly.

• Use your child's favorite foods. If your child eats ice cream, allow them to feed it to themselves with a spoon. The coldness and stickiness of the ice cream can discourage some children from trying to eat it with their hands.

• Allow your child to play act with child-safe utensils. If your child enjoys playing with dolls, allow them to feed their dolls imaginary food. This can help them develop the manual dexterity needed to feed themselves.http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/introduction_to_the_spoon

• Expect a mess while your child is learning and do not punish them.

Children will naturally want to use utensils as they grow older and see their peers doing the same. However, not all children develop manual dexterity at the same rate. The following are ways that you can help your child increase their hand-eye coordination and their ability to hold and use silverware:

• Toss a soft Nerf ball back and forth with your child.

• Allow your child to try and feed you with a spoon.

• Give your child developmentally appropriate puzzles to put together.

• Give your child a Tupperware set and allow them to fit the pieces together and take off and remove the tops.

• Buy your child a set of blocks or Legos.http://www.essortment.com/all/whatiscoordina_rahf.htm Allow your child to figure out how the pieces fit together without showing them. This will help them develop reasoning and coordination skills.

• When in an elevator, allow your child to push the correct button. Other every day actions such as turning doorknobs, opening the mailbox, and carrying small grocery bags can help develop the manual dexterity and muscles needed to hold silverware.

As your child develops hand-eye coordination, you can progressively introduce silverware such as forks and knives, though many children will still need you to cut tougher food into bite-sized pieces through elementary school. Remember to use a set of silverware that is dull, durable, and safe for use by children.