Why snack time?
"Snack time. Snack time. When is snack time?" asks, John. "After recess, John," you patiently answer.
Have you ever asked yourself why we have snack time? It is true that young children need to eat frequently. They often get hungry during the course of a morning's worth of active play. But what research tells us when each child will be hungry? How do we know that after recess (or whenever the providers have selected) is actually the best time for each person to eat? As we serve each child two crackers and a piece of apple, how do we know that these are appropriate amounts?
The answer, of course, is that we do not know precisely when each person in the classroom will be ready for snack, or how much each will want to eat. Some children eat very large breakfasts and are hungry in the late morning, if at all. Others are too busy playing or sleeping late at home to eat much of anything before school. They may be ready for snack soon after they come in the door. Some children digest their food very quickly and are as hungry as bears whenever snack occurs. Others are light or picky eaters. The bottom line is there is not perfect time for everyone to have snack nor is there a perfect amount to serve each person.
Nutritionists have been telling us for some time that we are an overweight country. One of the many causes for this national problem is that many of us tend to eat when it is time according to the clock on the wall, not because our bodies are telling us we are hungry. Do we really want to train another generation to eat those crackers and drink that juice just because it is in front of them. What about the child for whom waiting for snack time seems like waiting forever?
Setting Up a Snack Table
Instead of continuing the traditional snack time simply because that is the way we have always done things, consider setting up a snack table in your center. A snack table holds the snack for the day, along with cups, napkins, and whatever else is needed. It is open most of the morning, except during group activities, and the children are free to serve themselves whenever they choose.
Creating a snack table means the children choose both when and how much to eat. Children who are hungry right away eat early. Children who are ready after recess may choose to eat later. The child who is really not hungry at all might skip snack that day, or have a small amount to eat late in the morning. Hanging next to the snack table are signs that explain how much the children may take of each item. They do not have to take everything listed, but they may not take more than what is on the signs at one time. Signs might read: "One cup of juice, four saltine crackers, and two apple slices." Signs should include pictures of each food or beverage. The children consult the signs and are in charge of deciding how much to eat. Instead of eating the crackers her teacher set out at her place at the table, Sally chooses how many crackers she is ready to eat. John skips the apple slices (because he never eats green apples) instead of throwing them in the garbage can. Max eats half of his snack just after he arrives and the other half later in the morning with his friend Patricia.
Snack Table Benefits:
The main benefits of setting up a snack table are nutritional. Children learn to pay attention to cues from their own bodies and eat what they need when they need it. They take charge their eating. Over time children come to understand how much of different types of food it takes to feel "full."
Snack tables also provide great learning opportunities for children. Some of the secondary benefits of a snack table include:
1. Children practice counting behaviors.
2. Children learn about measurement in a meaningful context.
3. Children learn the names of foods and increase language skills.
4. Children develop fine motor skills, like pouring juice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
"Won't children take too much?"
Yes, sometimes they will, especially at the beginning. Providers can look at these situations as problems, or as teaching opportunities. We can be uptight and count every last apple slice, or we can have enough on hand so that it is not a big deal if a few slip away.
"Don't they make a mess?"
Yes they do, but don't they spill juice and leave crumbs everywhere during snack time anyway? Don't cry over spilled juice. It can be cleaned up with the children's help.
"How do I get started?"
Use group meetings to introduce the snack table and to explain to children how it works. Demonstrate using the signs, pouring juice carefully, and choosing how much to eat. Introduce new foods to the children before you set them out on the snack table. Talk about how different foods are eaten and how much children should take per serving. Children can help you make new signs as they are needed.
"What about clean up?"
Children are responsible for throwing away trash and cleaning up their area when they are finished eating. It takes time and reminders to get children to clean up consistently. But, it is worth the effort because children learn to take responsibility for keeping their center clean.
"Don't they miss the shared experience of eating together?"
Yes and no. Children often decide to eat with a friend or groups of friends. They get snack together, sit together, and chat as they eat. Special events like birthday parties can still be held with the whole class.
"What if they are all pushing and shoving to get snack at the same time?"
Use this and other difficulties as an opportunity for the group to become "problem solvers." Tell the children at group time that you have noticed a lot of people are not being patient about taking turns at the snack table. Involve the children in a discussion about the problem and how the group would like to solve it. Together you can make snack time a positive and nutritious experience for everyone.
For Further Reading:
Meriwether, L. 1997. Math at the Snack Table. Young Children. 52(5): 69-73.