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Teaching a 20-month-old baby to self-feed is a gradual process that involves fostering independence and fine motor skills. Here are some tips to encourage self-feeding in a toddler:

1. **Choose Appropriate Utensils:**
   - Provide toddler-friendly utensils with grips that are easy for small hands to hold.

2. **Use Suitable Dishes:**
   - Use plates with edges to help contain food and make scooping easier.

3. **Offer Finger Foods:**
   - Start with easy-to-grasp finger foods like small pieces of fruits, soft vegetables, or small crackers.

4. **Model Self-Feeding:**
   - Eat together with your child and demonstrate how to use utensils. Children often learn by watching others.

5. **Encourage Self-Exploration:**
   - Allow your child to explore and play with food using their fingers and utensils. This helps build sensory awareness.

6. **Provide Independence:**
   - Encourage your child to hold the utensil and bring it to their mouth. Offer assistance as needed, but also allow them to try on their own.

7. **Offer a Variety of Foods:**
   - Introduce a variety of textures and flavors to keep mealtime interesting.

8. **Be Patient:**
   - Understand that self-feeding is a skill that takes time to develop. Be patient and supportive, even if it gets messy.

9. **Gradual Transition:**
   - Start by letting your child self-feed during parts of the meal, gradually increasing independence.

10. **Praise Efforts:**
    - Encourage and praise your child's attempts to self-feed. Positive reinforcement can motivate them.

Remember that self-feeding is a learning process, and messes are a natural part of it. It's important to create a positive and supportive mealtime environment. Always supervise your child during meals to ensure their safety and to provide assistance when needed.