How to teach the child to eat independently?

At first the child is completely dependent on his parents. Adults have to do everything for him literally. But there comes a time when the kid begins to be actively interested in the adult world, it shows a craving for independence. It's important not to miss the moment when you notice that the kid began to imitate you at the table. At first it will be simple curiosity, and then the kid will want to look like a mom or dad, and eat his own dish with his own spoon, and even on his own. In order to minimize the number of broken cups and spoiled meals, use the experience of teachers and other parents.

Motivation.
If the child showed interest in a fork or spoon, this does not mean that from that moment he will begin to actively learn the rules of behavior at the table and always follow them. Like every child, your child will have bursts of good and bad mood. Sometimes he will gladly want to eat lunch himself, and sometimes he will demand help. If the child refuses to learn to use a spoon, you will have to interest him.
Pay attention not only to the quality of food and the taste preferences of the child, but also how the food looks. Children love everything bright and beautiful, ordinary mashed potatoes and porridge seem to them too boring, especially if these are not the most favorite dishes. Be more cunning. Grind in the blend of greens and vegetables and color the food with colorful mashed potatoes, show imagination, serving not just dishes, but funny miniatures from different products.
If the child is hungry, just put a spoon next to the plate and take a little distraction. Imagine that you have urgent urgent business in another room. When you return, most likely, your baby will already be eating lunch himself, because he does not want to wait for you. True, we still can not talk about accuracy.
Clearly delineate the purpose of cutlery. This is by no means a toy, no matter how beautiful they are. Spoons, plates and mugs can appear only on the table during meals and in no other way, in another case, the child will get used to perceive food as a toy.
Do not put time frames. It's okay if your baby is a little behind the children of friends, and prefers to be fed by his mother. All children are different, but they will sooner or later learn to serve themselves. Be gentle, but do not force the child to eat on his own.

Secure the result.
When your child learns to hold a spoon more or less confidently, the task will be to consolidate the acquired skills and train the table etiquette.
Create a special atmosphere at the table. Food can be served differently, but it is better if the child from the very childhood gets used to seeing beautiful dishes, tastefully served food, unusual napkins. This will help him become interested in the process and follow the rules.
If you see that the baby is not yet very confident with the spoon and most of the food is wasted, take the second and feed it. At first this is quite acceptable. So the child will be full, but at the same time he will eat himself.
Prevent all attempts at play with food. Little trouble is inevitable when a small person learns to eat porridge, soup or puree. Many products will be provided anywhere, but not on a plate or in the mouth of a child. Do not encourage such situations, do not be touched by how accurately your baby got bread crust into the wall. Do not scold the baby, but show your displeasure. If you do not indulge in such things, then the child in a few months will know how to behave properly at the table.

Do not make mistakes.
From generation to generation, a joke "for dad, for mother", which is designed to shove as much food as possible into the child, is transmitted. But is it worth it to use it? Is it important that the child ate at the table?
It is better not to accustom him to persuasion and not to turn feeding into a bond. Let the baby ate not too good in your opinion. In that case, feed him an hour earlier in the next meal or give a snack between them. The more you force a child to do something that he does not like, the more persuasion will have to resort. As a result, the baby will refuse to eat without fairy tales, jokes and parental attention.
If you see that the child is not in the best mood, he is capricious, then do not rush to put him at the table. Let the child calm down, come to himself and start dinner in a good mood.
Try to eat with the child. He needs a living example, and parents are the best option. In addition, he will not be bored, you can communicate at dinner.
Do not use food, as an assessment of the behavior of the child. Do not inspire him with the idea that the one who eats well is a good child, and the one who ate badly is bad. Do not encourage for eaten lunch, because the food - it's so natural, there is no reason for gifts. You can praise for accurate behavior and good manners, but not for the speed with which the child ate his lunch.

Ahead of the little man a lot of accomplishments and obstacles. Each of them is important and each will be overcome. Something is given easier, but something takes a lot of energy. Be really loving parents, do not evaluate the child by other people's successes, remember his right to individuality. And do not forget - his behavior and desire to learn depends only on you.