Dealing with slow eating? I need tips!

My 4 1/2 yo has become as slow as molasses!

I hate rushing her & creating an uneasy eating time, but it's getting insane of how slow she is & still eating long after we are done & cleaned up. (she knows if I've finished cleaning up, then that's it).

Any suggestions?

Dealing with slow eating? I need tips!

Ketchup!! DS eats slow when he doesn't like what's for dinner. If I let him drip in ketchup dinner goes much faster. Either that or she might not be hungry, or filling up on drinks. If DS knows we are having a good dessert, he will eat faster. Or if I let him pick part of the dinner or help me cook.

Re: Dealing with slow eating? I need tips!

She like ranch
She does help sometimes with picking & prepping, but she'd picked turkey hot dogs & tomatoes & chickpeas, or pizza or stromboli everyday if she could.
She sometimes has really great desserts waiting and still slooooow.

Maybe I'll cut the afternoon snack (or make it super small).

Any other idea?

Re: Dealing with slow eating? I need tips!

I put a timer and set it for 20 minutes after 10-15 minutes for eating. My DS is 6.5 and hates when I bring it out. He usually only eats slow on a night I make something that isn't his favorite. If he isn't done by the time the timer goes off, I take it away and thats it.

It has taken him up to an hour to eat and I think that is too long. I think 30 minutes is more than enough time to eat a meal.

Re: Dealing with slow eating? I need tips!

It's funny you mention the timer. She mentioned to me their PreK teacher uses a timer for snack time. That's when I realized I'm not alone with this! I thought to do a timer too, cause she doesn't get when we tell her the time on the clock. but I think a timer might be exactly what she needs! I didn't know a time though.