Teaching and Learning

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Reflect on:

• The social aspect of dining in your service
• How food can be used to support children's learning
• The importance of listening to children and parents
• The importance of your role in the provision of food and supporting children's overall growth and development through “the language of food”

The dining experience

Invite the children to prepare the table for dinner. This involves collaboration, cooperation and planning. Add a table cloth and flowers.

Use place mats which show the children where to place their knives, forks and spoons. The use of real glasses, crockery, and cutlery respects the competence of the children as they help each other.

Family style dining

Serve dinner using large serving bowls to facilitate this family style dining experience. This offers choice and recognises children’s ability to decide on the portion size they will eat. The children take turns to pass the bowl and talk amongst themselves.

Self-service

Children pour their drinks from a jug which is easily manageable.

Social dining experience

The adult sits, eats and talks with the children.

Tidy up

The children scrape off their places when they are finished dinner and return to play with their friends.

When everyone is finished dinner, the older children return to the table to assist with the tidying up. Guided by the adult the children make sure that the tablecloth is dry before folding and putting it away.