Cutting up grapes for 6 year olds?

[leothelioness]

I have just received a letter from my DCs (year 2) teacher saying that if grapes or cherry tomatoes are included in their snack they need to be cut up as it is a choking hazard.
Is it just me or does this sound a tad OTT I mean this is a class of 6-7 year olds not pre-schoolers

That is complete madness! Can you not point out that they have teeth!

Yes. I send ds1 off to school with cherry toms most days. He's 4 and I don't cut them up or they'd just be a mess by lunchtime.

Shall I send a letter back saying just because he has no front teeth at the moment doesn't mean he can't eat solid food.

I don't cut them up for my 3 1/2 year old when she's going to pre-school!

I suppose, in the true spirit of nanny state gone mad they are covering their arses.

I do have a friend who still doesn't give her child normal size pasta in case she chokes. Child is 7.

Insanity! I don't cut up grapes or cherry tomatoes for my 20 month old. She uses her teeth

Yes it is after a First Aid course and no I am not spending time in the morning cutting up tiny bits of fruit. I also have a 4 year old and he also gets whole cherry tomatoes occasionally so shoot me.

OTT insanity.

Well, together with hot dogs and peanutbutter not mixed with butter/margarine they are real choking hazards. So, I agree with teacher I am afraid. Maybe, I am too risk averse but I did have to give first aid to a child choking and it is not fun.

Am with the teacher I am afraid-I worked in a paed intensive care unit...too many young children to mention with grapes/cherry toms stuck in their airway stuck on a ventilator...

oddgirl I always thought 6-7 would be old enough to eat whole grapes what age would it considered safe to eat them. (I am not being sarcastic I am genuinely interested)

Perhaps they could introduce a "how to chew food" as a topic in class?

I do for both my girls, having seen a grape choking which has horrible. Grapes are terrible because they slip down so easy but then get stuck, i guess the same for tomatoes. Maybe Im a bit OTT but i dont care.

We had a local girl choke and die on a meatball at school :( so I know schools here are very OTT with stuff but cant blame them

I went to a Health Visitor led baby cafe today and food is provided for the mums and older sibling (young toddler age). I was suprised to see bunches of grapes that the toddlers were helping themselves to and then going out to eat the grapes unsupervised in the wendy house. At that age grapes should be cut up shouldn't they?

Nutters. Everywhere.

I feel so

Ds is nearly 8 and I had no idea I should have done this. Never did it from weaning and dg (dear grandad) always has a bowl of grapes by his chair that ds helps himself to

Just didn't realise - thought I knew all the stuff - no honey before 1yr etc.

Wouldn't it be better to teach your children to bite them in half and not pop them into their mouths whole?

Otherwise I can't actually think of an age where it won't be a potential choking hazard tbh.

I cut up grapes for DD's packed lunch (she's 6) - I figure she's likely not to be paying much attention to what she's doing, talking while she's eating, rushing ... I don't bother at home. I wish she'd eat a cherry tomato in any form.

I cut grapes for my 10 year-old and have even thought about cutting them up for DH
Yes they are a major choking hazzard.

But everything is a major choking hazard if you've never been taught (and allowed) to eat properly!

FairyMum- honest question, when do you intend to stop?

We should ban meantballs because someone died from choking on one if you go by the logic that it is possible to choke.

Tragic for the family (and teachers) involved I know - but it shows how ridiculous our risk averse culture has made us

My friend still makes sure grapes are cut for their 12, 9 and 6 yo - he's a registrar on a childrens ward and has seen many sad outcomes from choking with grapes.