"Food education" for ages 0 to 12 | 9 points to keep in mind – RIVERET | agney* | taffeta 公式ブランドサイト～天然素材のデザイン食器～

"Food education" is important not only for children but for all generations, but it is especially important for children to acquire a solid understanding of "food" during their infancy and primary school years. Here are nine key points of "food education" that should be kept in mind for infants between the ages of 0 and 5, and primary school children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Make sure you know exactly what you need to learn and when.

Learn about the different points of "food education" for each life stage

The ultimate goal of food education is to acquire knowledge about food and the ability to live in today's diversifying society. To achieve this, learning is necessary throughout one's life, not just in infancy or childhood. Food knowledge appropriate for each generation and the food culture of each region can be passed on by family and close friends as they gather around the dinner table.

Simply by increasing the number of times people eat meals together and talking about food, various knowledge can be passed on to the next generation. It may also provide people with the wisdom to survive in an increasingly diverse lifestyle. "Food education" during childhood may help prevent problems such as excessive dieting and eating alone, and may also lead to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

Five points for 0 to 5 year olds

We have narrowed down the key points for "nutritional education" for children aged 0 to 5 years old to five points and will introduce each one below.

1) Experiencing the joy of eating
Once you start feeding your baby solid food, it's important for them to know the joy of eating. In addition to choosing seasonings and ingredients that babies and toddlers find easy to eat, the smiles of the adults who feed them and the conversations they have during the meal are also major factors that influence the "enjoyment of eating."

2) Having the opportunity to come into contact with many different ingredients
For small children, meals are an opportunity to come into contact with a variety of foods. It is during this time that they begin to determine what they like and dislike, testing each ingredient with their own tongue. While exposing them to as many foods as possible, you should also try to ensure that they are getting the right nutrition.

3) Having the experience of eating meals with family and friends
The experience of eating at the table with family and close friends teaches children the joy of food, table manners, and the pleasure of eating without being picky about what you eat.

4) Know basic dining etiquette
It's also a good time to learn basic dining etiquette, such as saying "itadakimasu" (thank you for the meal) and "gochisousama" (thank you for the meal), washing your hands before meals, and eating neatly. If children can form habits at this age, they are more likely to continue them throughout their lives.

5) Eating alone in stages
When your baby starts eating solid food and begins to show a strong desire to "eat on his own," he will first start eating with his fingers, then with a spoon and fork. Make sure to provide him with appropriate tableware for each stage until he is able to eat by himself using chopsticks.

Four points for 6 to 12 year olds

1) Knowing the importance of breakfast
When children start going to elementary school, they will snack less and will no longer be able to eat when and how they want. Also, if they go to bed later at night, they may sleep until the very last minute and skip breakfast. However, skipping breakfast can lead to a lack of concentration, so it is important to help them get into the habit of eating breakfast properly.

2) Understand the health effects of foods that are high in carbohydrates and fats
The world is filled with foods that are high in carbohydrates and fats, such as fast food, snacks, and instant foods. Eating too much of these foods increases the risk of becoming obese, so you need to be careful. It's important to understand the effects of a diet high in carbohydrates and fats during this time.

3) Understanding the importance of consuming a variety of nutrients
If children continue to have picky eating habits and eat an unbalanced diet, they will not get the nutrients they need. It is important to clearly explain the following to your child:

・Health concerns arise
- By being conscious of meals such as staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes, it is easier to have a nutritionally balanced meal.

By explaining things carefully, you can pique your child's interest in nutrients.

4) Knowing how your food got to you
It is also important to know how the food ended up in your mouth, including its production and distribution processes. This will also lead to interest in modern food issues such as food waste.

summary

There are key points for "food education" for a wide range of ages, from infants to grandparents. By sitting around the dinner table together as a family, you will naturally gain knowledge about food.

[Key points for 0 to 5 year olds]
- Experience the joy of eating
・Having the opportunity to come into contact with many different ingredients
-Having the experience of eating meals with family and friends
・Learn basic dining etiquette
・Eating alone in stages

[Points for children aged 6 to 12]
- Know the importance of breakfast
・Understanding the effects on health of foods that tend to be high in carbohydrates and fats
- Understand the importance of consuming a variety of nutrients
Knowing how food gets to you

"Food education" is the study of dietary habits that continues throughout one's life. The above nine points are essential for children in their early childhood. If you can convey these to them in a way that is appropriate for their age, they will become good habits and treasures for their entire lives. There is no problem if you don't try to do everything perfectly, so parents and children should try each one carefully.