Pointless poll of the day n.2: what age should children not be allowed to eat with their hands?

[PippiCalzelunghe]

just curious.

I still eat with my hands sometimes!

Or do you mean when should children be able to use cutlery?

It is a constant battle with my two. DS1 has dyspraxia so finds using a knife and fork really hard and has to be constantly reminded to use them properly. He is 7.

DS2 is 4 and could do better but we often find he is using his fingers too. I sometimes think he is doing it to copy his brother though.

I think by the age of 4 or 5 they should be able to use cutlery more often than they use their fingers though. However, it is a gradual process and they don't get expert overnight.

I still eat with my hands sometimes too! I think they sould be able to use cutlery by 4 or 5, but I wouldn't not allow my ds to use his hands if he wanted to.

so do I but not beans on toast and fried eggs.

Not as much being able to use cutlery as when is it okay to tell them off for refusing to use them for things that really shouldn't be eaten with hands iyswim.

I eat with my hands too.
though, obviously, not in a restaurant

I am aware of cultural differences btw

(I am 38 if that helps )

Difficult one to tie an age to - depends on the child, imo - it depends when you know they're capable of using cutlery, but they're just being a bit lazy or not thinking about it. Though if they're tired or something, I'd probably cut them some slack anyway. I'm reminding DS (who's 4.1) a fair amount, but he's getting better. DD (8.1) almost always uses hers. Still uses fingers occasionally.