they stopped putting things in their mouth?

I left Connor alone in his Montessori class today and he did awesome. I am still worried he might put things in his mouth however. I had the aide monitor him closely today. (There are small mancala type beads in there used for a math exercise.)

I'm also wondering if he has a hyposensitivity. He seems to want crunchy things in his mouth.

By Tayjar on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:41 pm:

I'd say mine were closer to 21/2 or 3. I guess I question why there are small beads out when there are toddlers in the room. Can they use a bigger type of bead that would serve the same purpose but make it harder for a child to choke on?

But to answer your question, you probably have a few months before he stops doing this type of thing. Yet, I know my DS had kids in his daycare class at age 4 that were still putting rocks in their mouths on the playground. Alot depends on the child.

By Mrsheidi on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:48 pm:

I was wondering the same thing. I'll see if they can use a different type of manipulative. There usually only 4-5 kids in there, but it only takes a second, no?

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 12:27 am:

I think my kids were 2-ish, when they stopped putting things in their mouth, for the most part. I know Emily was a toddler of some sort and we were at the neighbor's house and she had a couple small erasers in her mouth. They were those shaped kind, with all the colors. I bet she thought they were candy. We got them out, before anything happened, though.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 08:09 am:

Natalie is over that I think. I've noticed her chewing this week on wooden blocks, but she was really gnawing on those top eye teeth. Those are still pushing the widest part through. It was a teething thing and not exploration.

Her playdate friend, a boy, is 3mths. older, and from I see and what his Mom says, he's over it, too.

By Kaye on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 12:21 pm:

Those pieces will go right through him though

Honestly it really depends on the kid. My 8 year old just put something in his mouth the other day and started choking, geesh, what was he thinking. As a teacher I have had at least 2 1st graders swallow money. The mouth just seems to be another hand to some kids.

By Tink on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 02:00 pm:

I think my dks stopped that right around 2yo, maybe a bit before. I don't think it's unusual that Connor is still putting things in his mouth.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 08:21 pm:

I think ds was about 3 when he stopped putting things in his mouth. DD was probably a bit younger than that.

By Lauram on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - 09:01 am:

My son (now 9) when he was 5 came running downstairs in a panic and said, "Mommy, I put 40 cents in my mouth, but I only threw up 30!" I checked, and his math was right. My next thought, once I knew he was safe, was, "If you can do the math, why can't you think that that wouldn't be a good idea." It did eventually "pass," or so we thought. He was supposed to not flush and we were supposed to try and pick through and find it (trying not to be gross), but he forgot and flushed. We figure the septic tank is 10 cents richer!

Sometimes things get stuck, but eventually most just pass through.

As for the crunchy sensation- let him eat pretzels. That will help.