{"id":326,"date":"2020-05-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/?p=326"},"modified":"2020-05-10T21:45:05","modified_gmt":"2020-05-11T01:45:05","slug":"self-help-skills-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/2020\/05\/14\/self-help-skills-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Self Help Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lets practice using a spoon and fork!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Using a spoon and fork can open up a new world of independence for your child. Here are some helpful tips you can use with beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a Spoon:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
  • Initially you can try handing a loaded spoon to the child to take to their mouth. If they are able to grasp it, support their forearm and guide it towards their mouth.<\/li>
  • When learning to load the spoon, use food that is more likely to stick to it such as mashed potatoes, yogurt or rice pudding.<\/li>
  • Use bowls with high sides or a pot to assist with loading.<\/li>
  • You can also use hand-over-hand to help your child learn a scooping action.<\/li>
  • Practice at the beginning of the meal when your child is most hungry and more motivated.<\/li>
  • If your child loses concentration\/interest easily, have the spoon yourself and alternate between your child feeding themselves and you giving a spoonful.<\/li>
  • Always make sure you are consistent with your language, for instance, \u2018scoop\u2019.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Using a Fork:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
    • Once the child has mastered using a spoon, they can progress to learning how to use a fork.<\/li>
    • Begin using a plastic bowl, then progress to using a plate.<\/li>
    • A suction bottom or Dycem mat placed under the bowl will help keep the bowl in position and stop it from slipping.<\/li>
    • Use foods that are easier to pick up and can be cut into larger pieces, for example chicken and sausages. Avoid foods that will fall apart, such as boiled potatoes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Additional Supports:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
      • You could use a visual schedule of the steps involved.<\/li>
      • A reward chart for independent completion of tasks (or attempt at, in the early stages) is also helpful. <\/li>
      • Routine: Use the same routine or strategy each time you complete the same task to help learning.<\/li>
      • Consistency: Be consistent with the words and signs used to assist your child and keep instructions short and simple.<\/li>
      • Motivation: Start with food or drinks that your child really likes to increase motivation.<\/li>
      • Support: Work from behind your child when assisting them or showing them how to do something so that your hands and their hands are moving together in the same direction.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Visual For Eating:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Lets practice using a spoon and fork! Using a spoon and fork can open up a new world of independence for your child. Here are some helpful tips you can use with beginners. Using a Spoon: Initially you can try handing a loaded spoon to the child to take to their mouth. If they are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2488,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2488"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/msfontana\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}