During early years, a child's relationship with food is crucial for his or her health and development. Learning the physical stages that relate to feeding is important to understanding this process. Once it is determined that a child is ready to start consuming solid foods, providers should work closely with parents to determine which foods are introduced first. New foods should be introduced gradually and when the child is developmentally ready, the CACFP provider must offer all other components in the infant meal pattern. 

Here's a great tool for both providers and parents to help recognize developmental milestones.