Child Puts Everything in Their Mouth? A Safety-Habit Story
The child who keeps putting strange things in their mouth
Something dropped on the floor, a pellet from a flower bed, an object they've never seen before—a curious child tries to bring anything and everything to their mouth first. Parents are always on edge, worried their child might swallow something dangerous the moment they look away.
Putting things in the mouth is a natural way for a child to explore the world. The problem is they can't yet tell what's dangerous. So what's needed isn't a ban of 'don't eat that,' but a habit of judging for themselves and checking with a grown-up.
Curious about the plot of the child who puts everything in their mouth? Explore the lesson through the illustrations. Meet the key scenes of the story too. Read it with your child and talk about it together. We've gathered many stories about If It's Strange, Don't Eat It—Ptooey! covering preventing swallowing of foreign objects, children's safety education, not eating strange things, and more.
Why the habit of judging for themselves matters
Parents can't always be right there watching. That's why it's important for a child to be able to stop and think, 'This looks strange, so I should ask first.' This habit becomes a reliable safety net that prevents accidents like swallowing foreign objects.
What matters isn't scaring them, but helping them understand why something is dangerous and teaching them the action of checking. One promise—to ask a grown-up first when something is strange—protects your child in a critical moment.
Kongi's 'if it's strange, don't eat it' story
In "If It's Strange, Don't Eat It—Ptooey!", the little foodie Kongi spots a shiny red pellet in a park flower bed and tries to put it in his mouth. Just then Hori and Toto rush over and grab his hand, and the three of them run to Dad to show him.
Dad shares a story about how 'our mouth is a precious door' and teaches three promises. A little later, when Kongi sees a strange gray lump, he keeps the promise on his own and asks a grown-up. Now, whenever Kongi sees something strange, he keeps the three promises himself.
Learning safety promises with Tangobook
Instead of the ban 'don't eat that,' Tangobook's daily-life stories share the power of judging for oneself through story. As Kongi learns safety promises together with his friends and keeps them on his own, your child takes it to heart as if it were their own.
With warm illustrations and a read-aloud voice, it's a great companion before heading outdoors. Through the repeating promise and story, your child naturally picks up the habit of 'ask first when something is strange.'
Let's practice together at home
After reading, set your own family's safety promise. First, rather than the ban 'don't eat anything,' explain why it's dangerous through a story, like 'the mouth is a precious door.'
Second, make it a promise that when they see something strange, they ask a grown-up first, 'Can I eat this?' Third, look together for things you shouldn't eat inside and outside the home, practicing telling safe things from dangerous ones.
Now your child protects themselves
Turn the curiosity that brought everything to the mouth into a safety habit of judging and checking for themselves. When you approach with understanding instead of a ban, and story instead of scaring, your child learns the power to protect themselves.
Meet "If It's Strange, Don't Eat It—Ptooey!" and Hori's daily-life stories on Tangobook now. With a 7-day free trial, you can experience your child growing into someone who keeps safety promises on their own.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What should I do about a child who puts everything in their mouth?
A. Gently set the promise to not eat strange things and to spit them out—ptooey. Sorting what's okay to eat from what isn't, like a game, helps your child be careful on their own.
Q. How should I react when they try to put a dangerous object in their mouth?
A. Rather than startling them greatly, calmly get them to stop and explain why it's not allowed. For a child who puts everything in their mouth, repeated promises and praise are the biggest help.
Q. When does the phase of bringing everything to the mouth out of curiosity pass?
A. The phase of checking everything with the mouth gradually fades as they grow. In the meantime, keeping small objects out of reach and watching over them safely is what matters most.
Classic stories to read together
If you enjoyed this story, try reading these classic stories together too.
- 01. Eat a Rainbow, Feel the Power!
- 02. Brush Brush, Sparkle Sparkle!
- 03. Bubble Bubble, Squeaky Clean!
- 04. Potty Success, Well Done!
Curious about "19. If It's Strange, Don't Eat It—Ptooey!"?
Meet it for yourself on Tangobook with beautiful illustrations and Korean & English narration.
📖 See the storybook →