I'm Feeding Myself

Materials You Need: Small pieces of food that your baby enjoys; a place for your baby to sit with food in front of the baby.

What You Can Do Together: This is the age that many babies really begin feeding themselves. Your baby probably isn’t using a spoon yet, but fingers work, too! If you have not started yet, begin by putting some pieces of tasty food where your baby can reach them. He/she may immediately pick one up and put it in his/her mouth.  If so, show your excitement (“You ate that all by yourself!” or “Did the fruit taste delicious?”). You could also nibble a piece yourself, showing how much you enjoyed it. Or put one piece in your baby’s mouth and see if he/she does the same.

What Your Child is Learning: Depending on your cultural traditions and your child’s development, you may continue occasionally feeding your baby. However, encouraging self-feeding strengthens your baby’s coordination and skill in using her/his fingers. These are skills that, years later, help her/him beginning to draw and write. When you talk to your baby during this time, you’re also encouraging language development (names of foods, for example).