Food Education for Two-Year-Olds: Enjoying Mealtimes
Preschool
April 28, 2018
At CGK, our preschool offers a variety of educational programs beyond English learning.
One example is our distinctive food education program, planned together with the owner of a French restaurant.
April themes
● Ocean (age 2): staying seated until the meal is finished and enjoying mealtimes.
● Jungle (age 3): table manners, including how to sit and what to avoid.
● Mountain (age 4): white ingredients—salt, sugar, flour, breadcrumbs, potato starch and baking powder.
A month had passed since Ocean class (age 2) joined the school.
The room, filled with crying during the first week, was now full of cheerful voices.
Parents often tell us about mealtime concerns: meals taking a long time, children leaving their seats to play, or strong food preferences.
Helping children follow routines and manners at home can be difficult for many reasons, including the environment and the comfort of being with their parents. This is not limited to meals.
Beginning group life at a preschool or kindergarten gives children opportunities to develop many new habits.
Staying seated until a meal is finished is one example. Watching friends in a shared setting can help children gradually practice this habit. However, being able to do something at school does not necessarily mean they can do it in exactly the same way at home.
Through their first school community, children develop social skills and steadily grow.
At school, we encourage mealtime manners while keeping eating enjoyable. We also pay attention to each child’s situation and support them in trying less familiar or less favored ingredients.
One example is our distinctive food education program, planned together with the owner of a French restaurant.
April themes
● Ocean (age 2): staying seated until the meal is finished and enjoying mealtimes.
● Jungle (age 3): table manners, including how to sit and what to avoid.
● Mountain (age 4): white ingredients—salt, sugar, flour, breadcrumbs, potato starch and baking powder.
A month had passed since Ocean class (age 2) joined the school.
The room, filled with crying during the first week, was now full of cheerful voices.
Parents often tell us about mealtime concerns: meals taking a long time, children leaving their seats to play, or strong food preferences.
Helping children follow routines and manners at home can be difficult for many reasons, including the environment and the comfort of being with their parents. This is not limited to meals.
Beginning group life at a preschool or kindergarten gives children opportunities to develop many new habits.
Staying seated until a meal is finished is one example. Watching friends in a shared setting can help children gradually practice this habit. However, being able to do something at school does not necessarily mean they can do it in exactly the same way at home.
Through their first school community, children develop social skills and steadily grow.
At school, we encourage mealtime manners while keeping eating enjoyable. We also pay attention to each child’s situation and support them in trying less familiar or less favored ingredients.
Author Profile
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Reiko - Services and Community Coordinator (Japan)
Reiko joined CGK as an opening staff member after working in licensed nursery care in Japan and two international preschools, alongside volunteering at a daycare in Canada. These cross-cultural experiences shape her approach to supporting children. She values opportunities for learners to discover their interests and strengths, express themselves and broaden their possibilities through meaningful experiences.