For the Kids Over 3 What Cups Do You Use?

[QualiTcare]

i think it's good to use open cups from about 2 - and like another poster said- just give them a little until they get used to it so it doesn't spill. you can always give a refill.

it's true that 4/5 year olds spill things more and i think it's because they become careless. they think they're experts and start using one hand n stuff. two/three year olds will use both hands and reeeally concentrate.

it's kinda like at work - when i first started a new job, i'd go slow and be extra careful and never make a mistake. once i got comfortable, i'd do things fast and that's when i started making mistakes like giving ppl too much money. you'd think the mistakes would be made more often when you're first learning, but that's not always the case. same concept.

[professionalmom]

Are we watching the same kids?

Yup, we have an older boy who is able to regularly dump his glass over at least once per meal minimum. He drinks from a sippy cup.

I saw a program once where they were testing children during growth spurts. The main focus seemed to be teenage boys who tend to spurt very rapidly in a very short amount of time. They were very clumsy. They (the experts) discussed how the bones in the arms and legs grow so fast that the child's brain hasn't had the chance to "catch up" to be able to judge distance with the new addition to their limbs. That's why they spill drinks off the table (arms are longer then they are used to) and trip over themselves easily (legs are longer than they are used to). I am thinking that maybe 4 years old (and 6-7 years old) may be times of spurting. I'm not sure, but it would make sense since it seems like so many kids have problems around that age.

Oh, and this delay in the brain to catch up to physical changes is absolutely true. I experienced it myself when I lost weight rapidly after a gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago. It does take a while for the brain to adjust to the changes that have occurred in the body. Actually the doctors told me that it can take up to 3 years for the brain to catch up after a major loss of weight like that. So I can only imagine what it must be like to have your arms and legs suddenly sprout a couple extra inches!

[DCMomOf3]

I use open cups 2 and up, sippy and the take and toss straw cups for younger. It's not a hard fast rule though, I upgrade to open when i think the child is ready, not just because they get to a certain age.

[Lilbutterflie]

I saw a program once where they were testing children during growth spurts. The main focus seemed to be teenage boys who tend to spurt very rapidly in a very short amount of time. They were very clumsy. They (the experts) discussed how the bones in the arms and legs grow so fast that the child's brain hasn't had the chance to "catch up" to be able to judge distance with the new addition to their limbs. That's why they spill drinks off the table (arms are longer then they are used to) and trip over themselves easily (legs are longer than they are used to). I am thinking that maybe 4 years old (and 6-7 years old) may be times of spurting. I'm not sure, but it would make sense since it seems like so many kids have problems around that age.

Oh, and this delay in the brain to catch up to physical changes is absolutely true. I experienced it myself when I lost weight rapidly after a gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago. It does take a while for the brain to adjust to the changes that have occurred in the body. Actually the doctors told me that it can take up to 3 years for the brain to catch up after a major loss of weight like that. So I can only imagine what it must be like to have your arms and legs suddenly sprout a couple extra inches!

I know this is an old thread, but I was amazed when I read this! I searched for threads about spilling because I have 3.5 yo and 4.5 yo siblings who have been with me for almost a year. They have always used open cups at my house without a spilling problem; but the last month or so they have been spilling like crazy! Not just spilling their cups, but spilling other things like their cereal bowls and such. I've been getting so frustrated, thinking they are old enough to be able to prevent this constant spilling! They also have been eating like crazy lately, starting about the same time... I've talked to mom about it b/c they must both be in a major growth spurt! Now it makes sense; sudden clumsiness during a big growth spurt. ::

[Little People]

Everyone said good things about the Take n Toss and when I was at Wal Mart I found then for $1.29 for 5 and I bought all 4 sets . We just used them in our Valentines party and I loved them.

[momofsix]

I saw a program once where they were testing children during growth spurts. The main focus seemed to be teenage boys who tend to spurt very rapidly in a very short amount of time. They were very clumsy. They (the experts) discussed how the bones in the arms and legs grow so fast that the child's brain hasn't had the chance to "catch up" to be able to judge distance with the new addition to their limbs. That's why they spill drinks off the table (arms are longer then they are used to) and trip over themselves easily (legs are longer than they are used to). I am thinking that maybe 4 years old (and 6-7 years old) may be times of spurting. I'm not sure, but it would make sense since it seems like so many kids have problems around that age.

Oh, and this delay in the brain to catch up to physical changes is absolutely true. I experienced it myself when I lost weight rapidly after a gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago. It does take a while for the brain to adjust to the changes that have occurred in the body. Actually the doctors told me that it can take up to 3 years for the brain to catch up after a major loss of weight like that. So I can only imagine what it must be like to have your arms and legs suddenly sprout a couple extra inches!

This is totally off topic, but it's too funny not to share...i had 2 of my girls develop boobs really fast (and young). they're way huger than I am (green witn envy) Anyhow, they kept bumping them for the first year or so It was crazy, I had never heard of this at the time, but totally saw it with them!::

[WImom]

Open cups with all my kids (except one 2y old that spilled everyday - he has a take n toss sippy unless I'm just giving water)