Should Food Be Used for Sensory Play?

[LITTLESTARS]

I went to a workshop last week and the instructor asked us what kind of sensory play we do for the kids at our Daycare the workshop was a review of the book " No more Teaching a Letter a Week by Rebecca McKay", the instructor asked us what games and activities we use for letter practice, since I'm always involved in these workshops told her that I use all kinds of games and activities from posting letters on the ceiling and having the kids pick a letter to nap under to using colored rice , noodles in my sensory bin and have the kids use tweezers to spell out words which works for sensory play, fine motor skills and works their cognitive skills.
I noticed after I gave her my example she was looking a little upset and in some kind of tune she said " you work with dry food produces knowing that there are starving children in the world" this caught me do off guard I felt very embarrassed mind you! I was in a room with my state licensor system directors and about 20 other home child care providers


so I had to think fast under all that pressure so I was really honest , and mind you I respect what others opinion would be on this topic , I replied " preschool age children need to learn about their world in a real and concrete way before they are ready to deal with larger life issues. I include food in sensory play for their cognitive development because I think if you want to teach children about food you need to first give them the opportunity to explore it , feel it , taste it , smell it, and even let them play with it . also learning through play I believe that children learn through play , so this should be true in their exploration of food as well, and problem solving they toss it off their sensory bin pick it up etc.", and so much more I I just went on and on because I was questioning this matter


then after i gave her my opinion she went on saying that the quality rating scale doesn't want you using food as part of a sensory practice ( which I don't use all the time MIND YOU ) because it brings up concerns regarding lower income families, she said some kids have high stress about what their going to eat when they get home that they stuff their pockets of rice, beans, noodles etc. also knowing the families philosophical beliefs about how important food is , their culture and so on .


so LADIES WHAT IS YOUR opinion in this matter??



YES for food ( stale noodles or rice) for sensory play


or NO for food for sensory play TIP using bird seeds instead of rice for those rainbow sensory bin ideas.


at the end of the workshop we stayed an extra 40 minutes discussing this around as providers and we ended up giving each other tips for sensory play .. and instructor didn't even say good by to me.

[Josiegirl]

I've used food for sensory play. Call me bad. It certainly can't be any worse than throwing away disgusting amounts of food we offer, because of food program rules, that the dcks won't eat.
FWIW, my rice tub is at least 5 yrs. old and my smaller bucket of pasta that I have set aside for projects is even older.
IMO there are so many ridiculous rules of what we can/cannot do, it boggles the mind.

[Blackcat31]

Early childhood professionals have always taught that using food for art or sensory play is culturally insensitive

[Ariana]

First of all she was extremely rude. She is worried about how low income families feel but could not extend any kindness to you? Very backwards thinking.

I am an ECE so we learned this as well and in a utopian world it makes perfect sense..you are so entitled that you see food as play when people are starving. I get it on an intellectual level but I think it is a dumb arguement. Is me not buying pasta to put in my sensory bin somehow helping starving people? It is very similar to people getting on their high horse with regards to sweat shops. Some of these people have nowhere else to work! Its either sweat shop or sex slavery (another topic entirely I know but similar arguement).

I also think it is irresponsible to tell daycare providers to not use cheap products in their sensory bins when most childcare providers are some of the lowest paid workers in the workforce. Most ECE’s and DCP’s barely make enough to get them above the poverty line. So as long as I am making a crappy wage while working 50 hours a week I will fill my bins with cheap lentils, pasta etc.

[hwichlaz]

No, we don't teach children to play with food. Grow food? yes. Prepare food? yes. Eat food? yes. Waste food by playing with it? NO

[Annalee]

The first FCCERS QRIS assessment allowed for me to use dried pinto beans for sensory, but the Revised version stopped that and now I use birdseed which is still food but for animals? :confused:

[LITTLESTARS]

I know she was very rude , and she should have taken a better route explaining to me her point ,

and as for food as play .. i get it i really do they don't want us teaching the kids that food can be played with or insult those children that con from a culture that rice is respected and its insulting to be playing with things you eat and we should respect these families , but come on i remember using macaroni noodles in art class. using Kool aid for coloring eggs for Easter and some still us this. i think there should be BALANCE that's why we teach our daycare kids and own children the value of food and hoe some don't have food.

but now i see how sensitive every issue is and how careful we should be in teaching these kids.. skmh

[Blackcat31]

The best article I've read about this topic:

https://tinkerlab.com/food-used-toddler-sensory-activities/

[Rockgirl]

I've used food for sensory play. Call me bad. It certainly can't be any worse than throwing away disgusting amounts of food we offer, because of food program rules, that the dcks won't eat.
FWIW, my rice tub is at least 5 yrs. old and my smaller bucket of pasta that I have set aside for projects is even older.
IMO there are so many ridiculous rules of what we can/cannot do, it boggles the mind.

Same here with my rice tub! I also made homemade moon sand using flour and baby oil. I guess I could’ve gone with alternatives....perler beads instead of rice, and REAL moon sand instead of flour. But guess what? My kids would have missed out on the experiences altogether, because I simply cannot afford to fill a huge tub with those things.

[DaveA]

I can see both sides, but I use some food items in crafts or sensory play because frankly it's fun and the kids enjoy it. I am not taking food from someone who needs it by buying something at a store. It also doesn't preclude me from donating $, food, or time to others. I've worked in centers where we didn't use food and it didn't cause me any problems making lesson plans.

My bigger issue is with the presenter. You be rude to me like that and I'm going to tell you to shove it up your virtue signaling a$$. Honestly things like this in my opinion is one of ECE's biggest problems- "experts" who take things to the point the average parent or non-professional will hear it and be between and . This is a major reason I flat out refuse to participate in FCCRS/ QRIS or whatever IL is calling it now.

I'm sorry you went through that. Regardless of the subject matter your presenter acted like an idiot.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I would have had a hard time not letting my eyes roll all the way to the back of my head. Macaroni artwork, colored noodle necklaces, play dough, bean bags filled with rice, ect...these are all fun activities that dont cost a lot to make and are fun and developmentally appropriate for kids. I know there are hungry kids, but America using food insecurity as an argument for not allowing certain play is pretty laughable. She could have said choking issues or sanitation issues, but the "starving kids in africa" mentality is so old and out of touch. We seem to live in a society where two things can't exist at the same time. Children can't play with food or make artwork out of it because of other kids who are starving. Versus letting kids play with food and make artwork, and also doing things like sponsoring a food drive, speaking about nutrition and good health, donating to the food pantry, ect. Instead, we limit one child's opportunities because of the restrictions on another child's opportunities. It's kind of like telling a child not to run, because some children are disabled and unable to walk. The ability to teach children compassion and empathy for other people's unfortunate situations is not limited by the use of food for play. Children are not starving in this world because little Johnny used macaroni on his picture. I probably would have left when she degraded my ideas to keep kids learning and creative and having fun.

[Blackcat31]

It has nothing to do with the noodles you use or something as simple as saying "Kids are starving so we don't use food as art".
It's not about the actual food.

It's about sensitivity and understanding in regards to how others feel and think about food. There are plenty of non-edible materials that we can use verses food items.

Using food items can lend to the idea that food is abundant and not really valuable. Imagine how young Timmy feels when he is instructed to glue noodles on his art project when he would love nothing more than to have something so filling as noodles tonight for dinner.

Unless you've had a truly hungry child/family in care it's hard to explain how they feel/act/behave in regards to food. Unless you've actually experienced what it's like to not have an adequate food supply it IS difficult to understand why using food is so insensitive.

Playing with food in general in my honest opinion is disrespectful and disregarding the fact that many cultures value food in many different ways is ignorant and shows that we are privileged enough to not have a full understanding of this topic.

It's not about the actual food.

Best practice means being respectful and not just according to the make up of your group at the time.

I don't think providers that use food are bad.
I just think that there is probably not a full understanding of the topic in general and that our culture lends to this just as other cultures lend to their beliefs.

There are so many other alternatives that are so readily available that it shouldn't even be a debatable topic at all.

Just my two cents....

[MomBoss]

I would have had a hard time not letting my eyes roll all the way to the back of my head. Macaroni artwork, colored noodle necklaces, play dough, bean bags filled with rice, ect...these are all fun activities that dont cost a lot to make and are fun and developmentally appropriate for kids. I know there are hungry kids, but America using food insecurity as an argument for not allowing certain play is pretty laughable. She could have said choking issues or sanitation issues, but the "starving kids in africa" mentality is so old and out of touch. We seem to live in a society where two things can't exist at the same time. Children can't play with food or make artwork out of it because of other kids who are starving. Versus letting kids play with food and make artwork, and also doing things like sponsoring a food drive, speaking about nutrition and good health, donating to the food pantry, ect. Instead, we limit one child's opportunities because of the restrictions on another child's opportunities. It's kind of like telling a child not to run, because some children are disabled and unable to walk. The ability to teach children compassion and empathy for other people's unfortunate situations is not limited by the use of food for play. Children are not starving in this world because little Johnny used macaroni on his picture. I probably would have left when she degraded my ideas to keep kids learning and creative and having fun.

I completely agree with you.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

It has nothing to do with the noodles you use or something as simple as saying "Kids are starving so we don't use food as art".
It's not about the actual food.

It's about sensitivity and understanding in regards to how others feel and think about food. There are plenty of non-edible materials that we can use verses food items.

Using food items can lend to the idea that food is abundant and not really valuable. Imagine how young Timmy feels when he is instructed to glue noodles on his art project when he would love nothing more than to have something so filling as noodles tonight for dinner.

Unless you've had a truly hungry child/family in care it's hard to explain how they feel/act/behave in regards to food. Unless you've actually experienced what it's like to not have an adequate food supply it IS difficult to understand why using food is so insensitive.

Playing with food in general in my honest opinion is disrespectful and disregarding the fact that many cultures value food in many different ways is ignorant and shows that we are privileged enough to not have a full understanding of this topic.

It's not about the actual food.

Best practice means being respectful and not just according to the make up of your group at the time.

I don't think providers that use food are bad.
I just think that there is probably not a full understanding of the topic in general and that our culture lends to this just as other cultures lend to their beliefs.

There are so many other alternatives that are so readily available that it shouldn't even be a debatable topic at all.

Just my two cents....

I completely respect your opinion and appreciate the different perspective. I have worked with children who have food insecurities and I have dealt with my own growing up. I've also dealt with a lot of kids who have plenty of access to food, but have actual fears of a food due to being forced to eat or punished for not eating. The amount of pressure that parents put on a child to eat, can be very hard for the child to handle. I think it's incredibly sad that in a country with an abundance of food , money, and accessibility to government assistance, that any child goes to bed hungry. I know food is a very sensitive issue for some people, but I guess I handle it in the same way I handle a lot of other things, related to food or any other subject. I address them and get to the root of the issue and see where I can make an impact.

We contribute to the summer food program and the snack pack program. These programs ensure access to a meal in the summer everyday, as well as snacks over the weekend during the school year and summer. We donate to the food pantry and serve weekly meals at our church. My current company works with a harvest program and donates thousands of dollars of food per month.

I like to teach my own children to be compassionate to the plight of others and to be respectful to those in need, but I dont feel limiting food to only eating is a necessary reaction to a serious issue. I have grown up, as well as used in my own daycare, items like pasta noodles, rice, dry beans, homemade Play-Doh, flour and baby oil, ect for years. They are relatively cheap household items that offer fun and creative play for children. And I don't know if it's a higher power, but we always seem to have a lot of those items sitting in the cupboard.:: Making Play-Doh was a very common occurrence in our house. And I prefer to work with those items instead of plastic products and such. I also love working with dirt, water, wood, really any natural stuff. And I swear I'm not some crunchy granola type! I just like simple stuff and I really enjoyed playing with food growing up. If I ever felt it was a problem for a child in my care, I would definitely readdress the issue. But so far, it's just been fun.

But I do think the instructor in this case did not make her point very well. Certainly not as well as you made your point. Its too bad you don't teach those classes!

[LostMyMarbles]

I think that some people take pleasure in demeaning others for their choices . I am a believer in what works for one, may not work for all. The “know it all” attitude happens all the time, but it is never ok to make someone feel bad. If we were talking about kids acting like this , the word bully may or may not be used.

I have a mason jar with rice And many objects and it.Are use it as my settle down jar. The kids kind a move it around and find different objects in it. I think it helps distract them from their time out. It helps them in my opinion to settle their mind and not be angry for being on time out. Just because I have a race in this jar does not mean I am insensitive to anyone in any country who is without food. I volunteer for many
food drives through the schools and the churches in the area.

I think there’s just a lot of people who want to take something innocent and interpret it to be something outrageous. But again that’s my opinion, and this applies to the What works for one may not work for all. If you want to use pasta in art, make the best darn art sculpture you can possibly make.