spoon-feed
Give pre-digested information
To spoon-feed is literally to feed someone by putting food into their mouth with a spoon, as with infants or the incapacitated.
Figuratively, it means to provide information or assistance in such simple portions that no effort is required: The professor spoon-fed them the answers instead of making them think.
The implication is often that excessive help prevents learning or independence.
Guard too zealously
- pamperIndulge excessively
- babyVery young child
- mollycoddleOverindulge with excessive protection
- cossetTo overindulge with care
smother · helicopter · hover · shield · cushion · shelter · insulate · indulge
Act superior toward others
- talk downSpeak patronizingly to someone
- infantilizeTreat as immature
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
underestimate · disempower · disrespect · trivialize · dismiss · degrade · paternalistic · superiority
Food that sustains life
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- motheringCaring for children
- weaningGradual dietary independence
- infantVery young child
baby food · puree · highchair · bib · mealtime · sustenance · provision · tenderness
Make less intellectually demanding
- water downWeaken by adding liquid
- digestMetabolize or summarize
- predigestPartially decompose beforehand
- break downFail mechanically or emotionally
distill · boil down · simplify · streamline · reduce · condense · abridge · summarize
overprotect
Guard too zealously
- pamperIndulge excessively
- babyVery young child
- mollycoddleOverindulge with excessive protection
cosset · smother · helicopter · hover · shield · cushion · shelter · insulate · indulge · dote
condescend
Act superior toward others
- talk downSpeak patronizingly to someone
- infantilizeTreat as immature
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
demean · underestimate · disempower · disrespect · trivialize · dismiss · degrade · paternalistic · superiority · contempt
nourishment
Food that sustains life
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- motheringCaring for children
- weaningGradual dietary independence
infant · baby food · puree · highchair · bib · mealtime · sustenance · provision · tenderness · bonding
dumb down
Make less intellectually demanding
- water downWeaken by adding liquid
- digestMetabolize or summarize
- predigestPartially decompose beforehand
break down · distill · boil down · simplify · streamline · reduce · condense · abridge · summarize · hand-hold
teach
Impart skills or knowledge
mentor · train · educate · inform · explain · demonstrate · clarify · direct · lead · show
spoon-feedthrow in at the deep end
Start without preparation
challenge · empower · sink or swim · Socratic method · stretch