Snack Signs: More and All Done
Snack Signs: More and All Done is a calm language activity for toddlers aged 13–22 months (corrected age). At a seated snack you show the gestures for more and all done along with the words, then wait, so your child can ask without crying or grabbing. It takes 5–15 minutes, needs no prep and works indoors.
Updated
Snack Signs: More and All Done
At a seated snack you show the gestures for more and all done along with the words, then wait, so your child can ask without crying or grabbing.
- Ages (corrected)
- 13–22 months
- Time
- 5–15 min
- Prep
- No prep
- Where
- Indoors · Calm
You need
- a seated snack served a few pieces at a time in a small bowl
Steps
- Seat your child for a snack and put just two or three pieces in their bowl.
- When the pieces are gone, say "More?" while tapping your fingertips together.
- Pause and wait for any request: a look, a reach, a point, a sound or the gesture.
- Respond to that attempt right away with "More!" and a few more pieces.
- When they push the bowl away or turn their head, show all done (hands turning outward) and say "All done."
Safety first
- Keep your child seated and watched while eating, with soft foods cut into pieces that suit their chewing.
- Skip round, hard foods such as whole grapes, nuts and popcorn, which are choking hazards.
No level picked yet. The 0–4 scale is a learning log, not a test.
Not yet: show it once, then let them explore
Watch for the first sign: uses the more gesture, a point or a sound to ask for food.
Not yet is information, not a verdict. Do it once yourself while they watch, pause, and offer it again in a few days.
Simplify one step
Next time: gently help your child's hands make the more gesture once, then give the food straight away.
Give the least help that works: wait first, then point or show, and guide hands only briefly.
Repeat the same version and fade your help
As you step back, watch for: says a word attempt such as "mo" for more.
Pause a few seconds longer before you model, and swap showing it for a point or a gesture.
Offer it once more, then add one change
When it is easy again: wait a moment longer before modeling, to see whether your child gestures or speaks first.
Change only that one thing and keep everything else the same.
Ready for one step up
Wait a moment longer before modeling, to see whether your child gestures or speaks first. Or carry it somewhere new: use more and all done during tickles, swinging or bath play.
Starting it on their own or using it in a new place is the strongest sign. Still change one thing at a time.
Stop and rest this one
In 2-3 days, come back with the simpler version: gently help your child's hands make the more gesture once, then give the food straight away.
End with something calming together. One hard moment never means a delay.
Stop on a good note
Keep this version and keep it short next time: 5 minutes is plenty.
They can do it, but it was not fun today. Add difficulty only once it feels easy and enjoyable again.
How to play Snack Signs: More and All Done
5 steps, about 5–15 minutes of focus time, no prep.
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Seat your child for a snack and put just two or three pieces in their bowl.
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When the pieces are gone, say "More?" while tapping your fingertips together.
-
Pause and wait for any request: a look, a reach, a point, a sound or the gesture.
-
Respond to that attempt right away with "More!" and a few more pieces.
-
When they push the bowl away or turn their head, show all done (hands turning outward) and say "All done."
What you need for Snack Signs: More and All Done
| What you need | A seated snack served a few pieces at a time in a small bowl |
|---|---|
| Prep | No prep |
| Focus time | 5–15 minutes |
| Where | Indoors |
| Energy | Calm: good after active play or before a nap |
| Ages (corrected) | 13–22 months |
| Domains | Language, Practical life |
| Fits the day | Around a meal or snack |
Easier and harder versions
Change one thing at a time. Drop to the easier version when Snack Signs: More and All Done stalls; move one rung up only once it looks easy on a few different days.
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Easier
Gently help your child's hands make the more gesture once, then give the food straight away.
-
As written
The 5 steps above, for 5–15 minutes.
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Harder 1
Wait a moment longer before modeling, to see whether your child gestures or speaks first.
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Harder 2
Offer two foods and wait for a point or word to choose: "Banana or cracker?"
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Hardest
Expand their gesture or word into two words: "More banana."
What to watch for
The signs of progress in Snack Signs: More and All Done, mapped to the 0–4 learning scale the family plan uses (a tracking aid, not an assessment).
| Level | What it looks like here |
|---|---|
| 2 · After a model | Does it right after you show it or point. Watch for: uses the more gesture, a point or a sound to ask for food. |
| 3 · Independent | Does it when offered, with no demonstration. Watch for: says a word attempt such as "mo" for more and shows all done with a gesture, a head shake or words. |
| 4 · Spontaneous | Starts it unprompted or in a new place. Watch for: uses the gesture outside snack time, such as for more tickles. |
Try it somewhere new
Level 4 means the skill travels. Once Snack Signs: More and All Done is easy, change the place, the person or the material:
- Use more and all done during tickles, swinging or bath play.
- Ask the other caregivers to use the same gestures so they mean the same thing everywhere.
Words to model
During Snack Signs: More and All Done, say “more”, “all done”, “more please” and “more banana” at the moment they happen, one at a time, then pause so your child can answer with a look, a gesture, a sign or a word.
Safety for Snack Signs: More and All Done
- Keep your child seated and watched while eating, with soft foods cut into pieces that suit their chewing.
- Skip round, hard foods such as whole grapes, nuts and popcorn, which are choking hazards.
Why it works
Pointing to ask for something is on CDC's 15-month checklist, and using gestures beyond waving and pointing appears on the 24-month list. Simple gestures like more and all done are offered alongside spoken words, never instead of them.
Evidence rating: Consensus: sensible practice in line with pediatric guidance. Cited: CDC milestones by 15 months and CDC milestone checklists by age.
Skills and ages
Snack Signs: More and All Done practises gestures and signs, pointing to ask and finger feeding and fits ages 13 to 22 months. Each month below opens more activities for that age.
Skills practised
Activities by month (13–22 months)
Milestone checklists nearby
Activities like Snack Signs: More and All Done
Two-Choice Snack Pick is the closest match: it also practises finger feeding, pointing to ask and gestures and signs. It suits 12–18 months, takes 5–10 minutes (a little shorter than Snack Signs: More and All Done) and needs 2 minutes of prep. For a younger child, Two-Choice Snack Pick starts at 12 months; for an older child, Bubble Squat-and-Pop runs to 24 months.
Ranked by shared skills, materials and ages
Frequently asked questions
What age is Snack Signs: More and All Done for?
Snack Signs: More and All Done suits 13–22 months, using corrected age for a child born early. For a younger or hesitant child, start with the easier version: gently help your child's hands make the more gesture once, then give the food straight away.
How long does Snack Signs: More and All Done take?
About 5–15 minutes of focused play over 5 steps, with no prep. Stop while it is still fun and repeat it on another day.
How do I make Snack Signs: More and All Done harder?
Change one thing at a time. First: wait a moment longer before modeling, to see whether your child gestures or speaks first. Then: offer two foods and wait for a point or word to choose: "Banana or cracker?" Hardest: expand their gesture or word into two words: "More banana."
How do I keep Snack Signs: More and All Done safe?
Play it only with an adult within arm’s reach. Keep your child seated and watched while eating, with soft foods cut into pieces that suit their chewing. Skip round, hard foods such as whole grapes, nuts and popcorn, which are choking hazards.
Related
Cited guidance
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.