How do you help a 6 year old to slow down while eating?

Question

I am looking for a way of doing this without coming across as critical of my child...please no mean answers as this helps nobody.

Answer 1

I had this problem also. What I did was give my child very small portions. Then I would give more portions as a slow interval. This will help the child learn to slow down. Good luck.

Answer 2

As a child, I was always a fast eater. People occasionally marvel at my eating speed as an adult now, but at this point, its probably just habit for me. At the time, though, when I was younger, I had a lot of coordination issues. I think the only way I could successfully get the food from my plate to my mouth without dropping it was to do so quickly. As a result, it was probably just eating quickly as a coping mechanism to make sure I could actually successfully eat. I'm lucky that I had (and still have) a fantastic metabolism, so I don't wind up gaining any weight no matter how much I eat. The usual reason why it is recommended that people eat more slowly is because their metabolism doesn't work quite so quickly as mine does and it takes them time to absorb the sensation of "being full". For me, I'll stop mid-bite if I'm full and place my fork down on the plate. People marvel at how I never gain any weight but thats just how my body works.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying, in way too many words here, is that maybe your child NEEDS to eat quickly. Children often find it difficult to pace themselves with activities including eating. Don't stress it too much. Certainly encourage your 6 year old to slow down, but 6 year olds don't slow down very easily to start with. :-) Don't stress over it. Your child will stop eating when your child is full so long as you don't try to overfeed your child, and it doesn't sound like that is your problem here.

I wish you and your child the best of luck.

Answer 3

I had a game I played nightly at dinner with my children that occupied their mouths and became a dinnertime favorite. If you are not against talking during dinner, I would recommend a game that is similar to 20 questions. Have someone write down a THING on a piece of paper and then everyone else asks yes or no questions until someone figures out what it is. We always give the first letter-I am thinking of something that starts with a G....

And then betwixt the guessing you eat. My oldest boy is 11 now, and still asks to play it.

Just a thought. You're right, "criticizing" it head on will not solve it. Granted, this will only slow him down at dinner, but it's a start.

Good luck.

Answer 4

First start up with around 40 5 minutes of cardio 5-6 circumstances each and every week, attempt and stay removed from the weights, 14 is to youthful and you will harm your bones, howver some crunches and situps may well be effective. As for weight loss plan your in basic terms 14 so which you dont wanna get into something too severe, in basic terms stay removed from undesirable fatty meals and meals with refinded carbs in them, like whtie sugar and white bread, decide for fit, organic ideas quite. And drink lots of water, that fairly helps too. follow that and you'd be greater healthful as.

Answer 5

lol, I have the exact opposite problem. My 5 yr old take 1/2 hr to eat a poptart. It drives me nuts and I can't seem to figure out how to get her to eat faster...any ideas?

As far as getting your child to slow down just have her take a bite and then set the fork down until she's done chewing. It'll be kind of annoying but it should work...Good luck

Answer 6

You could have them count how many times they are chewing, maybe chew 15 times before swallowing. You could even make it fun, if they make it through the whole meal with 15 chews per bite the get to choose the meal for next week or something creative.

Answer 7

My son is like that. We try and make him take a deep breath in between bites, take a sip of water, and relax. We want him to be aware that he needs to slow down.

Answer 8

just say, "honey i don't mean to nag you, but i noticed that you are kind of eating fast today. Did you not get enough to eat at lunch today? I just don't want you to get sick from eating so fast." I think your child will take it better if you act like you just noticed it today.

Answer 9

Have her put her fork down between bites and take a sip of water.

I eat quickly, and this seems to work for me.

Answer 10

Make it a game and tell him to chew each piece 10 times. It teaches him to count, and it makes each pieice safer to eat.