Culture and food traditions play an important role in the development of positive eating attitudes. Help children explore new cultures and food traditions through activities. This can promote acceptance of new foods and cultures.
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Role of culture and food traditions
Culture and food traditions play an important role in the foods people select and eat. They influence:
- where someone gets food
- how their family prepares food
- how, what, and when someone eats
Try including different cultures and food traditions in your activities. This can support:
- children’s exposure and acceptance of new foods
- awareness and acceptance of cultures and traditions from around the world
- positive attitudes around foods that are part of children’s cultures and food traditions
Educate children on cultures and food traditions
There are different ways you can educate and expose children to different cultures and food traditions. During activities, try to:
- represent foods and food habits from different cultures, while being mindful of your biases
- show interest in the various cultural and food traditions of the children in your group, without singling them out
- consider how you can incorporate the traditions in your activities
- work with members of the community to share their foods, food habits, and food celebrations