Sensory-based food education encourages children to eat fruits, veggies
A study published in Public Health Nutrition suggests that sensory-based food education given to kindergarten children aged 3–5 increases their willingness to choose vegetables, berries, and fruit.
A study published in Public Health Nutrition suggests that sensory-based food education given to kindergarten children aged 3–5 increases their willingness to choose vegetables, berries, and fruit.
The researchers from the University of Eastern Finland used the sensory-based food education method Sapere, which makes use of children’s natural way of relying on all five senses when learning new things: by looking at, smelling, tasting, touching, and listening to new things. In the Sapere method, children are given an active role around food, and they are encouraged to share their sensory experiences.
The researchers compared children in different kindergarten groups. Some were offered sensory-based food education, while others weren’t. Children were offered a snack buffet containing different vegetables, berries, and fruit to choose from, and the researchers took photos of their plates to analyze their willingness to choose and eat these food items.
The findings show that sensory-based food education given in kindergarten increased children’s willingness to choose vegetables, berries, and fruit—especially among children whose mothers have a lower educational background. On average, children of lower educated parents tend to eat less vegetables, berries, and fruit. Therefore, the researchers believe food education given in the kindergarten can help even out dietary differences between families.
Kindergartens have a variety of methods to choose from when delivering food education. For example, they can introduce different vegetables, berries, and fruit to children in hands-on sessions, they can involve children in baking and cooking, and they can offer children opportunities for growing their own vegetables in the kindergarten backyard. Food-related themes can also be included in books and games.
“There are several different ways to do this. However, it always starts from sensory-based learning, child-orientation, and child engagement. Doing and experiencing things together is also an important aspect,” said study author Kaisa Kähkönen, nutritionist from the University of Eastern Finland.