WELCOME TO CHOP, LOOK, LISTEN!

A Choking Prevention Program

When it comes to feeding time, parents and educators naturally focus on nutrition. However, choking poses a very serious risk to young children. In fact, the vast majority of all choking-related injuries in the United States are suffered by children ages of birth to 5, with those under the age of 1 being at the highest risk of a fatal incident.

In 2025, Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) launched Chop, Look, Listen, a new initiative designed to help early childhood educators prevent choking and promote safe eating habits. ELI is proud to partner with DECAL and bring this incredibly important campaign to California!

3 STEPS FOR SUCCESS

CHOP: Prepare the Food Right

  • Watch out for high-risk foods that are round, hard, sticky, or slippery.

  • Pay attention to texture and shape—cook it, mash it, shred it or chop it!

  • Don’t forget to size it right—for infants chop to ¼ inch pieces and toddlers to ½ inch pieces

LISTEN: Sit With Kids and Engage

  • Pay attention and connect with kids while they eat. Your focused attention makes all the difference.

  • Mealtime is together time! When you sit and eat with children, you create connection while keeping them safe.

Steps For Food Safety

Food Preparing Guide

Simple Poster For Classrooms

Food safety is about more than properly chewing food. Here we look at the 3 easy to digest steps to ensure that each meal time is a success:

  1. CHOP

  2. LOOK

  3. LISTEN

LOOK:Observe Kids while Eating

  • Keep your eyes on little ones while they eat. Watch for safe eating habits and be ready to teach them. Stay within arm's reach and focus on mealtime supervision.

  • Repeating the same lessons each day can help children learn: Stay seated, take small bites, chew fully, and swallow before speaking.

Additional Resources:

COMING SOON: Chop, Look, and Listen community events!

For more information and resources, check out our partners over at DECAL.Gov!