Nutritionally Purposeful Classroom

The article begins by pointing out that dietary habits are formed early in life and are influenced by a child’s family, culture, and experiences. (p.8) Early childhood educators play a big role in these habits and preferences because children spend the majority of their day in an early learning center. All children can benefit from a nutritionally purposeful environment that engages the children in preparing healthy snacks and incorporates healthy foods into their learning environments. But, the trick is to equip adults with the tools to create these environments. (p.8)

The article went on to list different activities one might see in a nutritionally purposeful learning environment. In this environment, food for celebrations (such as birthdays

Teachers can achieve this by modelling healthy eating habits, engage in conversations about new foods, using food as an inspiration for art rather than a medium, and making healthy a part of your everyday routine.

This article was very interesting. It provided insight on why a nutritionally purposeful classroom is important. It also answered a question that I have had for many years. That question was, "why is food not allowed in sensory play activities anymore, such as using rice in the sand table or allowing children to write their names in applesauce." As stated before, the article answered this question on page twelve. The authors said that they would prefer teachers not to use food in this way because younger children may not be able to differentiate between the food for play and the food for eating.

The article also explained how this style of classroom can aide in strengthening other areas of a child's development. As stated earlier in the article, they said that by allowing children to help prepare foods children will gain math, science and literary skills. My mind already began imaging ways that I could use a cooking activity to enforce counting or using the lunch menu as a way of talking about colors and alphabets. I have a Tree Study coming up in my classroom , and , because of this article, I plan on linking some of the fruit that is served during lunch with the lessons that are