Room 11

8.11.26 – Healthy Food Program 

For a classroom where some students become distressed simply by having an unfamiliar food nearby, an appropriate goal might first be tolerance and comfort, rather than tasting. A child might progress from tolerating a new food across the table to having it on their own plate, to touching it, smelling it, interacting with it, and eventually tasting it. Each of those steps can be meaningful progress.

Through our Healthy Food Program, we’re helping our kiddos build tolerance and curiosity at their own pace. A child who once couldn’t tolerate a new food at the table may begin by simply allowing it to be nearby. From there, we can work toward looking, touching, smelling, and eventually tasting. Every step counts. Our goal isn’t to pressure a child to eat; it’s to help make the world of food a little bigger, safer, and more manageable.  

Yesterday, our Healthy Food Program group explored fruit through art and food exploration, creating colorful pictures before having the opportunity to experience fresh watermelon. We meet children where they are. We don’t expect every child to taste every food. Looking, tolerating, touching, smelling, and tasting are all important steps toward expanding a child’s food repertoire. Yesterday brought some wonderful successes—and we’re celebrating every one of them!