Any tips for getting a toddler to begin to try cutlery?

[Pascha]

Its thrown across the room before first use and always has been. He was a total spoon refuser as a baby. So far I have taken the approach of just leaving it on the plate and letting him see us use it, no pressure. He won't tolerate any kind of spooning at him at all. He's 20 months so not especially old, but I just don't know how long I should be leaving it.

I know he is still young and plenty of time to learn etc, but it doesn't look like he will ever learn at this rate.

Just a bit frustrated now.

Do you eat with him? Does he see you eating with cutlery? If not he might not know what they are for! If he does throw it, I would say a firm "no", and place it back on the table. I wouldn't worry to much about him using it a lot or using it properly yet, but throwing is not ok.

DD is happy to use a spoon, but remains convinced that a fork is for combing her hair. Particularly lovely with carbonara
Watching with interest!

Definitely set the example by eating with him. He will get there, promise

They have to see other people using them. So make sure that you sit at the table and eat with him every meal time.

Yep we do all that, always have done from the start. He eats with us as much as practically possible. I think he's in a phase of thinking its funny to push the boundaries, I'm hoping here that in a few weeks it will get better and he will be on to something else to muck about with

On a side note: He had bolognese and pasta for tea tonight (with fingers). He needs a bath now, his hair is orange

Take heart, he will get there!

I have come to the conclusion though that it makes not a jot of difference what you do in the interim.

My 1 year old shocked me by stealing the spoon from my 3 year old and eating her yogurt beautifully while my 3 year old was obliviously feeding himself yogurt with his hands. Argh! I did the same thing when weaning them too. I think he just hates using cutlery. I got stricter with him since he turned about 2.5 but as soon as he thinks I'm not looking he ditches all cutlery and goes back to shovelling with his paws .

Hehe. I'm laughing now