Your toddler's skill with their hands, ability to talk and growing independence will all have an impact on their nutrition in the early years.
Your one year old:
- Uses their tongue to move food to the side of their mouth for mashing with hard gums or new molars
- Confidently feeds themselves with their hands, and will gradually perfect scooping up food with a spoon or spearing it with a fork
- Will still handle and play with food
- Holds an open cup with two hands and drinks well with a little assistance
- Will imitate others' behaviour at mealtimes
- Uses loud, urgent sounds or words to indicate that they want a certain food.
Your two year old:
- Uses simple phrases to tell you what they need – "want juice"
- Confidently holds a cup with two hands and drinks without much spilling
- Has most, if not all, of their molars for chewing and grinding hard foods
- Can use a spoon, and possibly a fork, skilfully to bring food to their mouth without much spilling
- May have strong dislikes and likes for certain foods
- Will lead you to the cupboard or fridge to show you which foods they want
- May object loudly or throw a tantrum if they don't get it!