"Try it, you might like it"
Jan. 29, 2009 3:21 pm
Updated: Oct. 4, 2009 3:43 pm
I'm a toddler teacher at West Side Montessori Center, and this is one of the activities that I do with the children in my class: "Try it you might like it". The activity goes a little something like this: I invite the children over to a table with a fruit or vegetable. The first time I do this at the beginning of the school year, I introduce a banana. Since every child is familiar with this fruit, it is a good place to begin. We talk about what color the peel is, what color the inside might be, if the outside is smooth or rough, etc...all the while the children are taking turns touching and smelling the banana. Once everyone has had an opportunity to hold and talk about the banana, I peel it in front of them. I slice a bit if the banana and “display” it on a cutting board. Then in front of the children I take a picture of the banana. Then each child gets to taste a bit of the banana. While they are tasting it, I ask questions that will spur further discussions: “is it cold? is it sweet? have you tried one before?, etc...” Then I put the picture in a album. As the school year goes on we try many different things, and our album quickly fills with new pictures. The important thing is we begin this activity with the fruit or vegetable in its whole form (no canned, or pre-sliced fruits or vegetables!) Many children have never experienced a whole pineapple, or a whole coconut. Sometimes a child will bring in a fruit or vegetable to use for the “Try It You Might Like It” activity. They are so proud to carry in their donated fruit or vegetable. As the album grows, we continually look at it and talk about what the names are of the items, and what they tasted like. This activity promotes a love of healthy eating, not to mention it broadens the child's palette. They see their friends joining in, so they too show a higher level of interest in whatever the food is. I try to stick to foods that are in season, are locally grown, and are organic. Fortunately our local store, Monnettes Market has been graciously donating items for this activity. And of course nothing is off limits; it's amazing to see what types of food the children will try, and often times end up enjoying. This certainly could be an activity that is done in your home, with your own children. Taking your child with you to the market will enhance the entire process.
"Broccoli kind of looks like a tree!"
Starfruit on cutting board
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