As a parent, you are constantly focused on the safety of your children. There are many dangers the child needs to be protected from when they are moving around the house, eating, and playing. One proactive way to help with your child’s safety and well-being is choosing the type of cutlery the child is using when they are eating.
Not only can silverware cause physical danger when a child doesn’t understand the proper use, but the type of materials can be unhealthy.
Moving from Plastic to Metal Silverware
Most often, children start by using plastic or silicone cutlery because these materials have a lower risk of injury compared to metal. But as your child continues their development, they can “graduate” to metal silverware. Here are a few milestones to watch for:
- Beginning Solid Foods: When the child starts eating solid foods instead of only drinking milk, most parents will use a safe plastic or rubber spoon. This type of material reduces the risk of scratches or small injuries to the child’s gums. It’s best to use softer materials in the beginning, especially when the child is holding the spoon on their own.
- Developmental Progress: When the child reaches the age of 12 – 18 months, usually they have the dexterity and coordination to start learning how to feed themselves safely. At this point, parents often move to stainless steel cutlery designed for children. Instead of using the regular cutlery that you already have in the kitchen, choose a smaller size that fits in their hand and mouth more comfortably.
- Upgrading to Full-Size Silverware: As the child gets bigger, they will be able to manage regular-sized spoons and forks more easily. One developmental milestone to watch for is around the age of 5, when they start to learn how to use a knife to spread and cut. Most of the time, children can master using a knife and fork together around the age of 7.
Quality matters, especially when you are choosing items that will be going in the child’s mouth. Many parents avoid wood utensils because there is a risk of splinters inuring the child’s mouth. If you decide to use plastic or silicone, make sure you select a brand that is BPA-free. When your child is ready to start using metal silverware, then be sure that the metal is made with safe, non-toxic material (such as stainless steel).
Additionally, it’s important to be proactive about sanitizing the child’s silverware. As with adult silverware, it should be washed thoroughly by hand or in a dishwasher to avoid the risk of spreading illness or bacteria.
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This article is written by Becki Andrus