Dr. William Sears, a leading expert in child rearing, points out that children under the age of children four and under are not mature enough to comprehend the important of thoroughly chewing up foods or spitting pits and cores out. And that is why many choking incidents often occur.
It is important to teach children proper eating techniques. Always supervise young children when they are eating. Encourage kids not to put too much in their mouths at one time. Most parents have seen that chipmunk cheek look at one time or another, when little ones pack as much food as they can into their mouths. Discourage such practices.
In addition, teach children to chew until food is broken down into little pieces. Although it might seem like "slap-your-forehead" common sense, there are actually people who overlook the importance of such instructions.
In addition to the super seven, here are some other foods that don't make the cut:
- cherries with pits
- meat
- chunks
- nuts
- hot dog, whole chunks
- raisins
- stringy foods
- whole olives
