When your child reaches the age of 2-3 and starts eating their meals, the question of when to start chopstick training comes into question. Many moms and dads feel anxious that it’s about time to start training. However, the guideline for starting training is not age, but rather there are several triggers. Here we will introduce the best time to start chopstick training for children and how to practice!
So many worries! Training your child to use chopsticks!
When your child reaches the age of 2 or 3, you may start to wonder, “When should I start giving my child chopsticks?” Some training chopsticks sold are labeled “for ages 2 and up,” so it’s understandable that you may feel anxious.
However, if you force your child to practice using chopsticks, they may not be able to eat properly and may get tired of it, or they may learn to hold them incorrectly… So, when and how should you actually start practicing?
When should I start learning to use chopsticks?
Regarding the best time to start practicing using chopsticks, there is no clear rule that says “You should start practicing at a certain age.”
Rather than saying when you are a certain age, it seems better to use the time when you can “hold a spoon like a pencil and eat food well with it.”
Once you have progressed from holding the chopsticks in your right hand to holding them in your wrong hand, and then holding them in your wrong hand using only your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, it’s time to start practicing using chopsticks.
Recommended practice methods
So how should you practice? First of all, the best time to practice is definitely not during mealtimes! Many people fail when they feel the need to feed their child.
During times other than mealtimes, it’s a good idea to practice using a sponge cut into small pieces and soaked in water to pick up food with chopsticks.
What you need
You will need the following three items!
- Chopsticks sized for children
- sponge
- dish
The way to measure chopstick size is to spread your thumb and index finger at a 90-degree angle, and measure the length of the straight line between your fingers x 1.5. Cut the sponge into small pieces, soak it in water, and use it to practice holding something with chopsticks.
How to hold chopsticks
When teaching your child how to hold chopsticks, start with just one pair!
- Hold one chopstick between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger in a pencil grip.
- Insert the second finger from position 1 and place it on your ring finger.
- When you have two chopsticks, practice moving only the top chopstick.
- Once you’ve mastered the movement, practice transferring the sponge to a plate!
Let’s be patient and get to know each other well!
Once your child is able to hold chopsticks correctly, all that’s left is practice so they can pick up things properly. It’s also effective for mom or dad to show them the correct way to hold them. Be patient and teach them carefully. Of
course, practicing chopsticks is important, but it’s important to first determine whether your child is “enjoying eating” and “wanting to hold chopsticks.” The timing for starting practice will vary from child to child, so it’s good for mom or dad to carefully determine the timing and make sure they have fun practicing.
