Choking is like when you’re trying to breathe, but something is stopping the air from getting into your lungs. Imagine your throat is a tunnel that lets air go in and out, just like cars going through a tunnel. If something blocks the tunnel, like a big rock, cars can’t pass through. In the same way, when you choke, something is blocking your throat, and air can’t get to your lungs.

Think of your throat as a straw. When you drink a milkshake through a straw, the milkshake flows up into your mouth. But if a piece of fruit gets stuck in the straw, the milkshake can’t get through. Choking is when something like food or a toy gets stuck in your throat, stopping air from flowing, just like the milkshake.

Another way to think about choking is like when you’re trying to blow up a balloon, but there’s a knot in the balloon’s opening. The air can’t get inside the balloon because of the knot. When you choke, it’s like there’s a knot in your throat stopping the air from getting to your lungs. That’s why it’s important to chew food well and not talk with your mouth full, to keep your air tunnel clear.