Nutrition Week is coming up from 15 to 21 October — a week dedicated to promoting healthy eating habits and raising awareness about the importance of nutrition in our daily lives. In early childhood education, there are many ways you can explore this week, and to help you make the most of it we have some ideas for you to help children connect with nutrition and nature in a meaningful way.

Talk about Spring and Growth 

Spring is a season of renewal and growth, making it the perfect time to focus on nutrition and healthy eating. Children can witness flowers blooming and trees budding — this visual transformation provides an excellent backdrop for discussing the importance of nurturing their own growing bodies with healthy foods.

Gardening Adventures

One of the most exciting ways to engage children’s nutrition is through gardening. Gardening is not only an excellent hands-on experience for kids but also a powerful teaching tool. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, children can develop a deep appreciation for the food they eat and understand the effort that goes into its production.

During Nutrition Week, educators might like to organise gardening activities. Children can plant seeds, tend to the growing plants, and eventually harvest the produce. These experiences can foster a sense of responsibility, patience, and a connection to the natural world. 

Take the opportunity to discuss the nutritional value of various fruits and vegetables, teaching children to do their bodies a favour and choose the foods that will best nourish them. 

Cooking Adventures

Cooking is another fantastic way to involve children in the world of nutrition. During Nutrition Week, educators can plan fun and interactive cooking sessions. Children can participate in the preparation of healthy meals and snacks. They can learn about the different ingredients and their nutritional benefits.

Cooking activities can be tailored to age-appropriate tasks, from mixing ingredients to measuring, and more. These activities not only teach children the importance of healthy food but also enhance their fine motor skills and numeracy abilities.

Planting the Seeds of a Healthy Future

Nutrition Week is an ideal time for us to emphasise the importance of making long-lasting healthy choices. Discuss the connection between nutrition and overall wellbeing, explaining how healthy eating habits can lead to a more active, energised, and happy life. By planting the seeds of knowledge and awareness in young minds, we are nurturing future generations to make informed choices about what they eat.

The best thing is, these activities don’t need to be limited to Nutrition Week! You might like to keep on growing and cooking to celebrate health and nourishment with children! 

Click here to get more inspiration and practical tools to celebrate Nutrition Week.