Eating with a Fork

Safety

Use a fork with short, rounded tines, and require the child to stay seated while holding it.
Choking foods and allergy list apply as in First Meals at the Weaning Table.

1
Place the fork to the left of the plate and name it: 'This is a fork.'
2
Pick up the fork with your fingers around the handle and the tines pointing down.
3
Hold the plate still with your other hand. Push the fork slowly and straight down into one piece of food. The food staying on the tines when you lift is the point of interest.
4
Lift the fork and eat the piece. Put the fork down on the plate.
5
Hand the child the fork, handle first. Wait while they try.
6
If the food slides away, hold the plate still for them and say: 'Push down.' Do not spear it for them unless they ask.
7
At the end of the meal, show them where the fork goes when clearing.

Spear firmer foods such as cooked potato or cheese cubes cut small
Choose between fork and spoon for each food
Hold food still with the fork while cutting with a butter knife (in the 3–6 room)

Food not pierced falls off the tines when the fork is lifted.