Self-feeding and communicative development from 12 to 24 months of age: An observational study

Child Development 2026 Open access

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Authors: Giulia Pecora, Francesca Bellagamba, Valentina Focaroli, Melania Paoletti, Mariarosaria Ciolli, Elisa Iaboni, Noemi Palladino, Alice Di Prete, Claire Farrow, Laura R. Shapiro, Amy T. Galloway, Flavia Chiarotti
+4 more Corinna Gasparini, Barbara Caravale, Serena Gastaldi, Elsa Addessi
DOI: 10.1093/chidev/aacaf003
Cited by: 1
References: 49

Abstract

This study examined the relations between independent eating and communicative development, both concurrently and longitudinally, using observational methods. In total, 182 Italian mother-infant pairs (Mage = 12.33; 48% females; 100% White) participated from 2020 to 2023. Infants' gestures, vocalizations, and self-feeding episodes were coded during mealtimes at 12 months. Mothers reported on language development at 12, 18, and 24 months. Self-feeding was concurrently and positively associated with infants' use of deictic gestures and simple vocalizations during the meal. Notably, self-feeding at 12 months was positively related to sentence production reported by mothers at 24 months (but not to parent-reported vocabulary size at 12, 18, or 24 months). The results suggest potential language benefits from allowing infants an active role during the mealtime.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues Infant Development and Preterm Care Infant Health and Development

Publication details

Journal / source
Child Development
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Volume
97
Issue
1
Pages
21–37
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN