Feet Flat, Then Scoop

from 14 months · 10-15 min · Everyday helper

What you need

Check their feet are resting on something, like the footrest or a box under the chair.
Make sure they're sitting up straight, close to the table.
Put their bowl down and let them scoop.
Notice whether the spoon gets steadier once their body is steady.

A spoon is only as steady as the body holding it, and feet that dangle leave the arms doing the balancing as well as the feeding.

Sitting steady: A stable body frees the arm to do the fine work of steering the spoon.
Spoon to mouth: Steadier sitting means fewer spills on the way up.
Scooping: Leaning in close to the bowl makes the scoop easier to reach.

Watch for fewer spills once their feet are supported.

Sit them upright and stay with them the whole time they're eating.

Easier: add a cushion behind their back so they sit closer in

Harder: try it at a low table on a small chair once their seat is steady