TL;DR: Do you really need to buy those baby spoons, toddler utensils, and separate cutlery for your school-aged kiddo? The answer is yes, and this blog breaks down why it matters so much.
Utensils at Every Age: Why Developmentally Appropriate Utensils Matter
Kids have so much stuff. Starting from their newborn days, there is nothing but stuff, stuff, and more stuff. You might be wondering: Is some of this stuff even worth it? One of the things that tends to go on this list is mealware and utensils. Why deal with purchasing, cleaning, and storing child-sized utensils that they will just outgrow, when you have adult utensils that they can just learn to use? Well, having developmentally appropriate utensils is more important than you might think. Keep reading to learn more about why developmentally appropriate utensils matter and the utensils that you can use at every stage of your child’s life.
Why Developmentally Appropriate Utensils Matter
Yes, having the right utensils for your baby, toddler, and child is important. Here’s why:
- Safety. First and foremost, having the right utensils can be a safety issue for your child. Adults' forks and spoons may hurt your child’s mouth and hands while being used. Getting utensils that they can hold correctly and do not have harsh edges will make eating much more comfortable for them.
- Confidence. When your child is able to eat independently with their own utensils, they gain independence and confidence. This leads to more participation in mealtime and a willingness to try new things.
- Reduced frustration. If they can’t hold their spoon or fork correctly, they keep dropping it, or they can’t fit it into their mouth, mealtime is going to quickly turn into something that they do not enjoy.
- More eating. When babies and toddlers are comfortable using their utensils, they will be excited at mealtime, and it will lead them to eat more and a willingness to try new foods.
Utensils for Baby’s First Year
According to Happiest Baby, around the 6-month mark, you probably introduced solids for the first time. As your baby gets more confident with feeding, they may also literally try to take matters into their own hands by grabbing the spoon. That’s because around 6 months, babies use their whole hands to hold items in their view, also known as the palmar grasp. Though yes, it will result in a mess, go ahead and give into your little grabber! This is the first stage of utensil use. [source: Happiest Baby ]
Silicone Baby Spoon w/ Carrying Case
Whether you are feeding baby, or they have begun to self-feed, our Silicone Baby Spoon is sized just right for baby's mouth.
The unique flat-edge design makes it easier to scoop food from jars or bowls and helps eliminate unwanted mess. and designed to eliminate unwanted mess. Perfect for introducing new foods, the soft and flexible silicone is gentle on sore gums.
Bonus: our spoon comes with a handy storage case for travel, so your baby's spoon stays clean before use and doesn't make a mess of your diaper bag after use!
Our silicone baby spoons are made of 100% silicone and are completely safe and toxin-free for your baby. Dishwasher safe - silicone is extremely durable and will never melt in the dishwasher.
Utensils for Early Toddler Years
Toddlers are notorious for being difficult to feed. Even if they ate everything in front of them as a baby, their tastes rapidly change and can become extremely picky. One of the ways to get out of this cycle and give your child new, healthy, and different food to eat is by giving them their very own mealware!
FlexWarez Kids Spoon & Fork Set w/ Charmz
Toddlers love nothing more than fun, bright, unique things and that doesn’t stop with eating utensils!
The ergonomically designed handle is easy on the kids' hands, while a zigzag fork minimizes food from slipping. Enjoy our pre-selected Flexwarez starter set with two of our customers' favorite charms! The interchangeable FlexCharmz™ works seamlessly on both FlexWarez™ & FlexBox™ lunchboxes.
Make each day special with your child's favorite FlexCharm™ theme of the day or mix and match. Flexcharmz come in a variety of shapes & colors, allowing kids to explore and reward healthy mealtime in a fun way!
Utensils for School Aged Kiddos
When packing up your child’s school lunch, it is important to make sure they have their own utensils on hand. School lunch times are limited, and it is important to maximize that time. Eating and playing at lunchtime are equally important, and having the right cutlery in their lunchbag will help make the eating portion of lunch hour go by more easily and quickly.
Din Din SMART All Stainless Spoon & Fork Set (Case Included)
Innobaby's Din Din SMART Utensil Set and case is perfect for school lunch boxes or any time your kids have a meal on the go!
The convenient storage case keeps the utensils separate from other items in your bag or lunchbox, preventing the mess from dirty forks and spoons. Sized just right for kids, our cutlery set is perfect for children transitioning from toddler utensils to larger-sized cutlery (just like mom and dad's!).
Made from high-quality, type 304, food-grade stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and made in South Korea. Safety tested to the highest quality standards, our dining sets are BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free, and lead-free.
FAQ
Q: Why should I make sure my child has their own set of utensils?
A: Safety, confidence, and reduced frustration will all lead to more eating and a willingness to try new things. This can be done by having the right utensils that are easy to use and designed for their development stage.
Q: What utensils are good for babies to use?
A: Look for utensils that have a unique flat-edge design to make it easier to scoop food from jars and that are made of soft and flexible silicone, as this is gentle on sore gums.
Q: Can toddlers use adult utensils?
A: Toddlers can technically use adult utensils; however, it is more difficult for them and can lead to mealtime becoming a source of contention. Make mealtime easy and fun with their own set of developmentally appropriate utensils.
Written by Jaclyn Uloth, Marketing copywriter and Mom of 3 boys, 5 and under