9 month old twins gagging with solid foods

My 9 month old twins (7 months adjusted) just started eating solid foods. Anytime I give them food they both start to gag. It freaks me out I feel like their chocking but their not. Is this normal? also, they don’t pick the food up with their fingers and bring it to their mouth I have to put the food in their mouth for them. But when they have blocks or toys they always bring the toys to their mouth. Am I doing something wrong? Or is this a preemie thing?