Meal/Snack Time

We are big on sitting family style and having conversation at HO4K. One of the biggest challenges the children have is portion control. They want to eat more and more of the crackers, cookies etc. At HO4K we reinforce nutritious amounts with statements like, "4 crackers is how much our body needs to be healthy and have fuel for energy. If you'd like more....you may have____"(offering fresh veggies and fruits)
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
1.PK.1 Demonstrate personal hygiene skills (hand washing.)
1.PK.3 Identify healthy foods.
1.PK.8 Identify the basic need for air, water, and food.
SOCIAL/EMOTION
H1.K2  Listen to stories of family members, local residents, and prominent figures to highlight the human experience.
H1.PK.3 Share information about their family practices, customs, and culture.
H3.K.4 Demonstrate respect for each other in the classroom and school.
H3.K.5 Share those events that are important to the students and their families.
4.PK.1b Express common courtesy to others (saying "thank you", "please", "excuse me")

 

This is a great article from Exchange EveryDay!

Learn politeness from the impolite.
-Egyptian proverb

"How people eat is often as important as what they eat," observe Sharon Bergen and Rachel Robertson in their guidebook, Healthy Children, Healthy Lives: The Wellness Guide for Early Childhood Programs. They continue...

"In the past meals took time to prepare and families gathered around a table to eat them together. As they ate their food, they spent time talking. Often this was a bonding experience. It also helped people stay healthy. By eating food they had prepared themselves, they knew what ingredients went into it. Eating together encouraged eating slowly, which aided digestion and helped them know if they were full or still hungry. Today the average family's schedules and the convenience of restaurant meals have decreased the time people spend preparing and eating food. Further, restaurant foods are often high in additives, sugars, and fats. These ingredients can affect immediate and long-term health and often lead to overeating and weight gain.

"Teachers can help children read their own bodies' cues so they know how full or hungry they are. To that end, children should be offered food at regular time intervals throughout the day. Additionally, children should not be required to eat when they aren't hungry. They should not develop a habit of snacking throughout the day, either. Food should be used to give their bodies energy. It should not be treated as a reward or a punishment. Children need food for energy and most of them eagerly choose to eat at allotted times."