Questions about other toddlers progress...

alice&arik wrote: I was wondering a few things about Arik. He doesn't use a spoon or fork very good, he has his good days and bad days. Most of the time he likes to use his hands. Does anyone else's toddler do this or do they do well with silverware?

Also when he is in the car in the afternoon and the sun gets in his eyes he screams bloody murder. I know it probably bothers him but he acts like it really hurts him. He has a checkup this afternoon so they should be able to look at them. Is this normal? I think I am going to get my windows tinted so it should help.

kimberley replied: i am not sure about the untensils but i vividly recall the screaming in the car from sun in their eyes. it drove the boys nuts! i just left a receiving blanket over the carrier so it wouldn't be so harsh. but if he is big enough, maybe you could get him sunglasses or even just use a baseball cap.

Julie (jem0622) replied: Arik sounds just like my eldest DS Nathan (4). I got the sun blockers that you dip in water and then affix to the window. Those are best. The fire department says the ones w/ suction cups are dangerous b/c if you had the unfortunate luck of being in an accident and the force was strong enough...they could come off and strike anyone in the car. Not good.

As far as holding spoons/utensils versus using hands. I honestly wouldn't worry. Whatever works for him. Nathan (4) preferred hands while Gabe wants to try a utensil and doesn't like to use his hands. Every kid is different. You don't have to worry about how they hold things at this age. It's when you get into the 3s and 4s and getting them to hold crayons/pencils/pens correctly from the start and having them practice.

HUGS
Julie

juliajaj replied: I asked DD's ped. about using utensils. She said that by age 2, most toddlers can start eatting successfully with utensils. She recommended that we continue promoting the use of utensils. Sometimes it's hard for toddlers to get used to scooping/stabbing food. The ped. said mashed potatoes is a good food to train with when using a spoon. They're stiff enough that they won't fall off the spoon.

coasterqueen replied: Kylie is doing fairly well with a spoon and fork. I thought she was about average, but after being around a dozen mommies this weekend with kids around the same age as her or are older, the mom's were telling me Kylie is using a fork and spoon much better than they have seen at her age. I tend to think she's right on target with other kids, not advanced in this area. LOL. Or maybe it's because I wish she would use them better.

If she can't get something on a spoon or fork she will give up and use her hands, though. So it's not always just with a spoon and/or fork. Although, she will try very hard to eat french fries with a fork before using her hands. Silly kid.

As far as the sun, Kylie can't stand the sun in her eyes. I don't know if she necessarily screams, she will move her head every which direction to get out of it and if she can't she would probably start throwing a fuss.

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley CAN eat with a spoon and fork, but she doesn't always choose to do so. It depends on what she is eating. Sometimes it is faster for her to eat with her hands. And, sometimes she is eating with a fork/spoon in one hand and then using her other hand to eat as well. I just make sure I give her a spoon and fork at every meal and encourage her to use it, but I don't force the issue. It sounds like Arik is right on track to me.

As far as the sun in the car, Ashley hates it too!

Julie (jem0622) replied: Here is a good utensil to use if you choose to go the route. Easier to handle:

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?itemI...8772&change=117

Gabe can really only use these and I don't have much of them.

Julie

MilMunchMOM replied: As far as the utensils go.....Sean who will be 5 still has to be prompted to use his fork or spoon. While my 3 yr old uses them always. I think every child is different in this area. I always have to remember that they are just developing thier fine motor skills and have trouble holding small objects yet.

The sun!!!! OMG! I think for a year straight I wished for cloudy days. LOL They do eventually become less sensative to the sun. In the mean time try the sun shades or get the side windows tinted if you can.

I hope this helps!

ediep replied: Jason enjoys using a fork, but he will throw it on the floor sometimes too
He doesn't use it for every bite, but he will occasionally try to stab food with it.

As far as the sun, Jason hates it!!! He doesn't scream, but he does close his eyes or move his head.

mummy2girls replied: Jenna is starting to get the hang of the spoon and fork. The other day she just figured out how to stab food with her fork.

As for the sun..Jenna screams bloody murder whenever there is sun in her eyes. I need to get one of those pull down screen thingys they ahve for cars..LOL

kit_kats_mom replied: Katherine (18mos) loves stabbing things with a fork...including you if you get in her way. she's not very effecive yet though. Scrambled eggs or cut up hot dogs are pretty good practice food for fork use though.

She hates dirty hands and only used her hands to eat for a short while. Now she will only pick up dry stuff, like cereal etc.

Our car windows are tinted so i haven't experienced the sun problem.

He sounds fine though. I wouldn't worry

California Girls replied: Rylee's 2 1/2 and loves to eat 2 or 3 bites with a fork - but then gets frustrated b/c it slows her down so she digs in with her hand. All the while holding the fork in the other hand!