ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The present study was divided into three stages. The first stage is the observational study. In the second stage an anthropometric survey of the hand for children aged 3-12 years olds was conducted. In the final stage, a new spoon for children was designed. The results of behavior analysis revealed that applied postures for chopstick and spoons were different between subjects. Some children held the middle of chopstick for dining. Some subjects always took the tail position of a spoon and more flexion occurred on the wrist while ladling out rice. In addition, two hundred and thirty-five participants whose who age ranged from 3 to 12 years old were separated into eight stratifications for analysis. Three dimensions of hand were measured by digital caliper. Results of ANOVA showed that all hand dimensions had a significant age effect. Further, post test revealed that mean length of hand could be divided into five subsets. Manufacturers should make products available in various sizes to accommodate different users at least five sizes for children, and various sizes based on hand length plus 30 mm. Spoon design for right-hand or left-hand users should be considered for convenience.
