to think a 7yo should be able to use knife and fork

It could be that she finds it really really hard and when tired its too much. My DS struggled too even by 7 we had constant arguments, I'd find him putting his hands into his food even wet messy foods. He also refused to learn to tie laces, along with some other basic things. He was diagnosed with dyspraxia at 10 and it explains a lot. He can do it now but it took years and he still will try to avoid it

I know someone strapped a knife and fork to their kids hands to force them to learn, it seems a bit harsh to me but maybe it will work for you. If you are sure there are no physical issues.

My son is nearly 6 and I still need to remind him to use his cutlery / hold his knife in this way / not just grab food. It's very tedious/ frustrating.

My youngest is 2 and automatically picks up her cutlery and gives it a good go.

Both obviously identical upbringing, it is luck of the draw!

We didn't really teach but from young age they had children's knife and fork to use. They copied us.

Use the weekends to make sure breakfast and lunch are foods she can't use her hands for, think spaghetti bolognase, soup. Then the tiredness excuse isn't a factor. Do it at dinner too. I would also be rewarding positive behaviour, go back to basics with a sticker chart and a reward at the end of the week. And don't reward if expectations aren't met.

Unfortunately you need to set a boundary and stick to it. Or kids will choose to go the easy option a lot of the time.

We just moved after splitting with their dad, at the old house due to sleeping arrangements the dining table was out of action for a few months. So when we moved I focused on the dining table rules, cutlery and even my 2 year old is trying to use a in knife now.

Persevere.

How is she holding other things like pencils and. She dexterous in other areas generally?

Does it cause her pain to hold cutlery or she can't or just doesn't want to

Is this a joke? Does she only eat finger food? You’re about four years late as well. How is she ever going to eat a roast dinner with gravy, for instance? Come on, do your parenting job properly 🙄

Earlier in the year we had to work really hard to get our 7 year old to use a knife and fork (he could just didn’t want to!). We just kept reminding him he needed to use them and not to bite food off his fork but to cut it first. I think you just have to be insistent; 7 is too old for tantrums over something like this!

Both of mine (8 and 11) are awful. It's not that we haven't tried! Causes countless arguments at mealtimes. Would rather stab a piece of meat with their fork and then bite pieces off than actually cut it.

sadly, some adults still can't, so I imagine they won't teach their own kids. It's pretty depressing.

You'll be amazed at how many children cannot use a knife and fork properly (one of mine included!)

No, of course school don't teach them table manners.

Most kids learn long before they start reception. Be firm and consistent, a 7year old cannot possibly eat their entire meals with a spoon? Their fingers?

It’s not schools job, it’s yours, and yes 7 for a NT child is very late to not to be able to use them. Can you go all out on practice at weekends and school holidays ?

This is not a skill for the school to teach.

How has she got to age 7 without you teaching this before?

How does she eat her dinner? Say you have spaghetti bolognese or something?