Teach Early Years - Issue 14.2

BETH DOWNIE IS A REGISTERED NUTRITIONIST Plan a day of festive food Cultural celebrations and seasonal changes are fantastic opportunities to promote healthy eating while building a range of skills, says Beth Downie … I n early years settings, food is far more than fuel – it’s a powerful tool for learning, connection and exploration. One particularly effective way to promote healthy eating habits while supporting wider developmental goals is through days centred around food and nutrition. Whether inspired by cultural festivals, seasonal changes or classroom topics, these themed events create meaningful opportunities to introduce young children to new foods, engage their senses, and celebrate diversity and offer a range of links to the EYFS: Prime areas Communication and language: describing textures, tastes, and ingredients Physical development: food prep builds fine motor skills and self-care independence Personal, social and emotional development: turn-taking, making choices, respecting others’ food cultures Specific area Understanding the world: learning about traditions, beliefs, and where food comes from DAYS TO REMEMBER Themed days offer a playful, low-pressure way to introduce children to a variety of healthy foods they might not otherwise try. Presenting new fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins as part of a special event – linked to a story, tradition, or cultural celebration – helps remove the fear or hesitation often associated with unfamiliar foods. When children are invited to take part in simple food preparation tasks, such as washing vegetables or mixing ingredients, they gain a sense of ownership and curiosity that makes them more willing to taste what they’ve helped create. These days also offer natural opportunities to reinforce messages about balanced diets. For instance, exploring a traditional Mediterranean meal can open discussion around healthy fats like olive oil, the importance of fresh produce, and the role of lean proteins in an informal and relevant way. MULTISENSORY LEARNING Themed days with a food focus engage all the senses – taste, touch, smell, sight, and sometimes even sound – making them ideal for supporting multisensory learning. Preparing and exploring food can help children develop skills across a range of learning areas, including maths (counting ingredients), science (witnessing changes in texture or temperature), language (describing taste and smell), and even cultural understanding. These sensory-rich experiences help information stick, especially for young learners. For example, celebrating Chinese New Year by making dumplings not only builds fine motor skills through folding and shaping but also introduces the concept of wholegrains or vegetables as part of a balanced meal. Such hands-on learning creates stronger, more lasting connections. INCLUSION & RESPECT Food provides a natural and inclusive way to explore the diverse backgrounds of children and families. Celebrating themed days that are linked to religious festivals, national holidays, or family traditions through this medium can encourage empathy, curiosity and a broader worldview. Children begin to understand and appreciate how people around the world eat, celebrate and come together. A Diwali-themed day, for example, might involve making fruit chaat – a healthy and colourful dish – while exploring the vibrant spices common in Indian cooking. As children talk about and experience these foods, they also begin to understand the role food plays in 36 Teachearlyyears.com