Parents teach their toddler to order her own food — now, she knows the menu better than most adults

At just 21 months old, most toddlers are still stringing together words and figuring out the world around them. But one little girl is already learning how to speak up for herself, and her parents are proudly guiding her every step of the way. In a now-viral video shared by TikTok user @sky.kellisa, viewers see a toddler, Carter Rae, with her mom and dad, trying her best to order herself a smoothie, while trying her best to get the name right.

The family is trying to decide what to order, and while the little one wants a strawberry and banana smoothie, and almost like knows exactly what she wants, even if her pronunciation still needs a little work. Despite the adorable mispronunciations, her determination and excitement shine through. The caption of the video says: “Us as parents, building her confidence by making her do things on her own.”

And it's not only sweet, but it's backed by science. Research shows that allowing toddlers to make small, age-appropriate choices and speak for themselves builds lasting confidence and independence. A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that when young children are supported in making their own decisions, they not only build self-esteem but also develop stronger problem-solving skills and social awareness.

The video of the 21-month-old confidently placing her own smoothie order has left TikTok in a collective puddle of emotions. As little Rae adorably attempts to ask for a strawberry and banana smoothie, with just the right amount of attitude, viewers couldn’t help but fall in love. @qails summed up what many were feeling with a saying,  “Not to be dramatic, but I’d die for her.” And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Her tiny gestures, like the little belly rubs while she was placing her order, also caught people's attention, adding to the sweetness overload. “Her little belly rubs while she orders. She’s so precious!” wrote @jade

The video also left many wondering about how a toddler so young can communicate so clearly. “How does one teach their baby this communication so early on?” asked @Jamee, echoing the curiosity of many parents, who also took to the comment section to ask the same. And for some, it was also a moment of admiration and awe. @Hannah wrote, “She is so cute! How do you get her to answer so clearly? My son, who's the same age, can barely get out the words! I'm literally so impressed!!”

And perhaps the most heartwarming recognition came from @katiet1015, who celebrated the toddler and her parents behind her, who were constantly pushing her to be independent. She said,  “Sweet Carter Rae is so perfect and smart, you two are such amazing parents, and you’re doing such an incredible job raising her.”In the video, the parents’ support is calm and patient. They don’t rush to correct her too quickly or speak over her; instead, they give her space to try, to speak, and to be heard. 

For more such videos, you can follow @sky.kellisa on TikTok!