I Need Some Suggestions Please...

[Cat Herder]

I wanted to give a suggestion.

Instead of having mealtimes be class-time, have a "Table Manners Circle Time". You can have them all practice chewing with their mouths closed with Starburst or Skittles. Both are very chewy and will give them lots of fun practice.

I do "Munchy Math" and "Crunchy Colors" all the time, the kids love it and they retain the information well.

(Munchy Math can be counting, adding or subtracting with trail mixes, mini marshmallows, cereals, etc.)

(Crunchy Colors is typically done with M&M'S, Skittles or Sixlets.)

[ninosqueridos]

It is part of my policies that eating will never be associated with punishment.

My suggestion would be to ease up on him a bit about the chewing with the mouth closed thing. I do teach the 2's and 3's that we don't do blatant things like push/lift/turn over our plates or bowls when we are finished, we wait unti I come clean them up when they are done before getting up from the table, use utensils nicely (no waving them around, putting in hair, etc)....just basic manners. They are working on chewing and not CHOKING which is more important than making sure the lips are sealed (IMO ).