Feeding myself Activity
Tamariki learning to feed themselves are developing independence.
Why do it?
- This is the time when toddlers start wanting to do things for themselves.
- Toddlers are often keen to feed themselves.
- They’ll have the chance to practise using a spoon or a fork — a useful fine (small muscle) motor skill.
- They can make choices about what they eat and how much.
- Letting children decide how much to eat helps them learn what being full feels like.
How to do it
- Put an old sheet or some newspaper underneath where the child is eating to help protect the floor and make clean-up quicker.
- Have some food ready before sitting them down for their meal.
- Soft finger food is ideal for this activity.
- Decide how many pieces to offer them — start with 2 or 3.
- Take your cue from them about how much more to offer.
- If they’re eating food from a bowl, have a spoon for you and one for them, so they can watch you and practise.
- Select some foods that are good for eating with a little fork, (cooked vegetable or a firm banana) so they can practise this skill too.
Using more te reo Māori
| Kai | Food, feed |
| Hiakai | Hungry |
| Mākona | Full |
| Pūnu, pūne | Spoon |
| Kumete | Bowl |
| Pereti | Plate |
| Wā mō te kai | Mealtime |
| Kei te hiakai koe? | Are you hungry? |
| He aha tō pīrangi hei kaikai? | What do you want to eat? |
| Kei te pīrangi koe ki te parakuihi? | Do you want some breakfast? |
| He āporo māu? | Do you want some apple? |
| Māku e mahi ngā kai | I'll get the kai ready |
| Anei. E kai | Here you are. Eat up |
| Huakina mai tō waha | Open your mouth |
| Āta kai | Eat nicely |
| Tino reka tēnei kai | This kai is delicious |
| Ka nui tēnā | That's enough |
| He kai anō māu? | Do you want more? |
| Karakia mo te kai | Blesing of food |
| Nau mai e ngā hua o te wao, o te ngakīnga, o te wai tai, o te wai Māori | I welcome the gifts of food from the sacred forests, from the cultivated gardens, from the sea, from the fresh waters. |
| Nā Tāne | The food of Tāne |
| Nā Rongo | of Rongo |
| Nā Tangaroa | of Tangaroa |
| Nā Maru | of Maru |
| Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei | I acknowledge Ranginui who is above me |
| Ko Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei | And Papatūānuku who lies beneath me |
| Tūturu whakamaua kia tina; tina, haumi-e, hui-e, taiki e! | Let this be my commitment to them all. |
