I Predict Good Fortune

Growing up in the North Country with parents who didn't eat any Asian cuisine unless it came from a take-out restaurant, I never learned to use chopsticks.  I actually didn't even try until Randy and I had been dating for several years and his parents brought us to a Hibachi restaurant.  I was terrible at it but I gave it my best shot.  Then when everyone else was close to finished with their dinners while using chop sticks, I switched back to my trusty fork.  After lots of practice and many stained shirts, I finally feel like I can competently use chopsticks (with an occasional stain on my shirt).  Now, Randy and I eat stir fry (made by Randy or Trader Joes) at least once a week and occasionally splurge on Chinese food from a take-out restaurant when we are feeling super lazy.  Its easy and delicious.  While we eat Chinese food, Austin usually has his normal toddler fare of macaroni and cheese, pizza, or chicken nuggets (he is super picky).  Sometimes we even give him a set of chopsticks while he eats since he thinks they are fun and it frequently gets him more motivated to take more bites.  Because of this, one of the best gifts he has received in the past were his "trainer" chopsticks.



The Good Fortune Chopsticks made by the company Fred & Friends are great for kids and adults alike who want to use chopsticks but need a little help stabilizing the top of the sticks.  They sell at Amazon for a little over $7 a pair but are washable, reusable, and pretty durable for use by rough handed kids.  I am in no way being asked by Fred to endorse these chopsticks, I just am so impressed with how Austin has picked up on using chopsticks so quickly.  Also as an OT, I feel like so many children with fine motor issues could benefit from using them to help strengthen those small muscles in their hands that help with precision, grasping, and releasing.  There are tons of non food related activities you could do with them too!  (Carry small objects with chopsticks from point A to point B, separate beads into different sizes or colors in an egg carton, move game pieces around for board games using chopsticks).

Success!

Austin practicing (lefty preference?)