When feeding young children up to about 4 years of age, it's very important to consider the size, shape and texture of what they'll be eating, as well as the setting in which you're feeding them. If a food is small or slippery, it may go down the throat without being chewed and block the child's windpipe. To make foods and feeding occasions as safe as possible for young children, follow these tips.

Children under 4 should always be supervised while being fed. At this age, children do not have the ability to judge how to eat safely, and may engage in running, jumping and other inappropriate behaviours while eating. Make sure your child is seated at the table, or at least sitting down when eating.

Cut Before You Serve

Don't give small children difficult-to-eat foods in whole form. When children get old enough to chew hot dogs, grapes, carrots and other difficult foods, cut them into small, strip-shaped pieces before serving.

Use Good Judgement In What You Feed Your Children

Small, rounded foods, especially if they are relatively hard or smooth, can be more difficult for young children to eat without inadvertently swallowing them whole. Foods like this should generally be chopped up into smaller pieces before being given to children less than 4 years old.

Keep in mind this list of potentially troublesome foods for your children:

• Hard candies 
• Nuts, seeds and peanuts 
• Whole grapes 
• Raw peas, beans, carrots 
• Mini-marshmallows 
• Large spoonfuls of peanut butter 
• Fish with bones 
• Other dried fruit 
• Popcorn 
• Ice cubes 
• Raisins 
• Pretzels 
• Chips 
• Chunks of meat or cheese

Observe Your Childs Eating Abilities

Every child is unique. One 3-year-old child may be much better than another when it comes to eating some of the foods listed above. So watch your children carefully as they grow, and use your good judgment about what to feed them.