Most parents look toward this day of non-spilling self sufficiency with cup and a spoon. It depends on your child and how often she gets to practice. Typical behavior development:



Cup:

Most 15 month-olds have trouble lifting a cup steadily from the feeding tray and replacing it after they have drunk. The average toddle tips the cup by rotating her wrists; she is apt to tip the cup too far and too quickly spilling some contents. A lidded cup with a spout prevents liquid disasters. The typical 18 month-old lifts the cup to her mouth more steadily and drinks well. By 21 months, the average toddler handles a conventional cup quite well and can lift, drink from and replace it on the tray with almost no spillage. She also tends to tip the cup by rotating her fingers rather than her entire wrist.



Utensils:

The average 15 month-old lacks the wrist control needed to use a spoon correctly; she has trouble scooping up food effectively and as she brings food to her mouth, she turns the spoon over in midair and spills the scoop. An 18 month- old is more proficient; she fills the spoon more easily and guides it to her more steadily. She also lifts her elbows when raising the spoon; she still tends to rotate the spoon somewhat. Most toddlers gain proficiency with the spoon around 24 months and above. Toddlers below 2 years are not ready to use a knife and a fork. Also be careful about letting toddlers handle disposable plastic utensils as they are brittle and break far too easily. The transition from total parent feeding to total self-feeding involves lots of mess and experimentation. Remember your toddler needs lots of practice to perfect her feeding skills. A plastic tablecloth beneath the high chair protects the floor. It is also perfectly natural for toddler to play with their foods at this age. You will need to take over if you are in a hurry or when you serve really messy or soupy foods. If she insists in self-feeding, compromise by giving her another spoon to hold.