1. Importance of Food Experiences to the Total Program

2. Children learn to describe things (cause and effect of the ingredients, texture, smell, colors)
Children learn about tastes (sweet, sour, salty..)
Children observe changes (from liquid to solid…)

3. Children learn to express themselves (using language)
Children learn about others (ethnic food)

4. Food Activities and Skill Building
Small-muscle coordination
Simple measuring skills
Social skills
Health and Safety (hygiene and safe materials)
Math
Science
Language

5. Guidelines for Creative Food Activities
Activities should be open ended
Activities should be challenging but not too difficult
Activities should be varied
The process is more important than the product
Activities should be done indoor and outdoors

6. Planning Children’s abilities should be matched to the food experience
Write the recipe ahead of time
Provide enough materials
Focus on the learning outcome and objectives

7. Food Allergies: How to respond to allergies and food intolerance.
A complete list of foods that can trigger a reaction.
Symptoms this child exhibits after contact with allergenic foods.
Emergency response.

8. Safe storage and handling of medications, including signed parent and health care provider authorizations.
Documentation of allergic reaction events.
Training of appropriate staff and volunteers about preventing exposure to the allergenic foods and emergency response.