PL T1.07Serving Self from a Bowl
The toddler uses a serving spoon to move a portion of food from a shared bowl to their own plate, then passes the bowl on.
Safety
- Choking foods and allergy list apply as in First Meals at the Weaning Table; check allergies before sharing a bowl among several children.
- Children do not put eating spoons in the shared bowl; wash hands before the meal.
Presentation
- 1
Seat the child with their plate in front of them. Place the serving bowl in front of you.
- 2
Say: 'I am going to put some rice on my plate.' Hold the bowl still with one hand.
- 3
Push the serving spoon into the food, lift, and move it over your plate. Turn the spoon over so the food drops. The food dropping onto the plate is the point of interest.
- 4
Put the serving spoon back in the bowl, with the handle toward the next person.
- 5
Pass the bowl to the child with two hands and say: 'Your turn.'
- 6
Wait while they serve. If they take a large amount, say: 'You can have more later.'
- 7
Show them how to pass the bowl to the next person with two hands.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Serve two different foods at one meal
- Take a second serving only after finishing the first
- Hold the bowl for a younger child while they serve
- Serve food to another person (in the 3–6 room)
Control of error
Food spilled between the bowl and the plate is visible on the table.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Serves themselves one or two spoonfuls without spilling most of it
- Leaves the serving spoon in the bowl
- Passes the bowl to the next person