Playing
With Food Words:
Teaching Mindfulness
to Preschoolers
The
most powerful way to instill a
love for
language and an awareness of health
in young children is to help them
use specific words as cues for mindfulness.
Mindfulness is simply paying attention,
noticing new things, drawing distinctions,
and shifting perspectives. It is
the very essence of fun, and all
children have a natural tendency
to be mindful. That’s how we
learn from the time we are infants!
As
children reach the age of three
or so, they become fascinated by
words and the sounds they can make.
As a parent, you can significantly
boost your child’s linguistic
intelligence by pointing out certain
words whenever they pop up in conversation
or even on TV or radio.
For
example, you might choose the word “crunchy” as your
secret word. Turn it into a game,
much like “Slug Bug!”—that
road trip challenge to be the first
to notice any Volkswagen bugs. You
want to help your child notice your
secret word, and celebrate the fact
that they noticed it.
Whenever
they hear the word “crunchy” they
simply say, “That’s crunchy!” From
there, let them notice what kind
of crunchy it is. Like celery? Like
chips? Like an apple? Is it juicy
crunchy or salty crunchy of sweet
crunchy? This helps your child build
important connections and draws their
attention to the subtle differences
that can be found in crunchy foods.
It’s an engaging and entertaining
way to have an ongoing discussion
about nutrition!
You
can adjust the words depending
on the age, language skills and
interest
of your child. Other suggestions
for secret words include: “fruity,” “juicy,” “chewy,” “tender,” “mouth-watering,” or “bite-sized.” Don't
be afraid to introduce a word that
might be above their level, especially
if it's fun to say. Why not try "succulent" or "luscious"?
Playing the secret word game is
a fun way to focus on food, and you'll
find yourself becoming more aware
of delicious words, too!
Yummy.
