2.5 yr old wont feed herself

[knat]

my dd can use a spoon albeit messily (like all toddlers) but she wont feed herslef on a regular basis if at all. She always wants distraction at the table and really isnt that interested in mealtimes at all (more of a grazer i feel). Any tips (she goes to preschool in September and i want her to be able to feed herself by then an use an open cup if possible. I've tried a cup a few times but she doesn't get sipping - she puts her tongue over it like her cup lidded cup with a straw or tips it up all over everything. Any tips greatfully received. I've tired clearing the dinner away if she wont feed herself and nothing more until next melatime but it doesnt really bother her.

I'm not sure how we got to this stage, but I often find myself feeding my 4-year-old (I know, he should be doing it by himself!). If he's super-keen on something he will feed himself until he loses interest, but if he's not keen, as is usually the case, it takes all my concentration to keep him at the table and eating. He is the second youngest of 4 so perhaps it's partly an attention thing, or maybe I just "babied" him for too long. No help to you of course, but at least you're not alone. Making food fun seems to help, but this isn't always possible.