<<I have always wondered why a child reaching to take food from a parent
is a sign of interest in eating>>

I was wondering the same thing. I know from personal experience, as well
as clinical, that many many babies start reaching out for food from the
plate at the same time they start reaching out for toys!! In their
unexperienced mind, whose to say that the "food" they are supposedly
showing signs of readiness for isn't just seen as another possible toy to
them? My son was reaching for food quite eagerly at about four or five
months. But when I took that as a sign that he was "ready", and offered
him something, he refused to actually *eat* it!! He has allergies and,
not suprisingly, went without food until closer to nine months. He was
not eating one consistent solid food "meal" until around 18 months.

I think reaching for food is a sign of interest in *food*, not
necessarily a sign of interest in *eating*. And I really disagree that it
is a sign of readiness.

Nicki Clark