Soon after your child learns to eat with her fingers, she will want to learn how to eat with a spoon. She may become interested in spoon-feeding as early as 8-9 months of age, but the skill will take several months to master.

Your toddler will let you know when she wants to feed herself. She will try to grab the spoon away from you as you feed her or refuse to open up when you offer her food on a spoon. By letting her try to feed herself, you communicate trust to her.