Should Food Be Used for Sensory Play?

[Josiegirl]

This isn't food but I was bummed when they told us we could no longer use shaving cream in dc. We had so many cool projects and activities over the years using that stuff. I understand kids cannot eat it but what about glitter? Has that been discontinued in dcs? I remember an internet story about a young woman almost losing her eye due to infection from getting glitter in it. There are soooo many things that are gray areas. It all comes down to supervision and knowing your kids.

But like I said, this differs than the whole food topic.

[Hunni Bee]

I saw on Pinterest yesterday where they were telling you how to make a "fresh fruit sensory bin". It was apples, oranges, strawberries etc to mouth and play with. I guess (hope) it was supposed to be a home thing, but it felt weird and wong to me.

I will admit to using dry pantry items such as rice, beans, popcorn, etc as cheap, nontoxic sensory bin fillers.

[Pepperth]

This isn't food but I was bummed when they told us we could no longer use shaving cream in dc. We had so many cool projects and activities over the years using that stuff. I understand kids cannot eat it but what about glitter? Has that been discontinued in dcs? I remember an internet story about a young woman almost losing her eye due to infection from getting glitter in it. There are soooo many things that are gray areas. It all comes down to supervision and knowing your kids.

But like I said, this differs than the whole food topic.

I dislike not being able to use shaving cream. I loved the way it cleaned the tables and made them smell while the kids played. I know there are alternatives, but it just isn't the same.

[CeriBear]

I’ve used various types of food for sensory play such as dried beans, rice, pasta, and cornmeal.

It’s sad that you can’t use shaving cream anymore Josiegirl. I love to use shaving cream in my classroom for both sensory and art. The kids love it and it makes the room smell so fresh and clean.

[Pestle]

I saw on Pinterest yesterday where they were telling you how to make a "fresh fruit sensory bin". It was apples, oranges, strawberries etc to mouth and play with. I guess (hope) it was supposed to be a home thing, but it felt weird and wong to me.

I will admit to using dry pantry items such as rice, beans, popcorn, etc as cheap, nontoxic sensory bin fillers.

Yeah, produce doesn't seem appropriate, if only because it's a recipe for terrible table manners and because you're leading by example in food waste. Plus you certainly couldn't allow more than one child to use it before dumping it.

[Lawson2]

Isn't the play doh you buy in stores made with flour? Is store bought play doh not an appropriate material either? Or is it okay because it is a product that is mass produced with the food (the flour) being hidden? Just wondering where the line is drawn?

[littlefriends]

Isn't the play doh you buy in stores made with flour? Is store bought play doh not an appropriate material either? Or is it okay because it is a product that is mass produced with the food (the flour) being hidden? Just wondering where the line is drawn?

The home made play dough my group uses is made with flour, salt, oil-all “edible foods”.

[Blackcat31]

People are so hyper focused on one sticking point.

It's NOT about using food IN things.
It's NOT about actual food.
It's NOT about food waste/starving kids

It's about cultural respect and teaching children how other cultures value things we don't or perceive things differently than others.

Clearly as a society we don't view food the same way as others do. It's deeper than the actual bin of rice or beans.

It's not a black and white topic where you either use food or you don't. It's a much bigger broader subject with meaningful thoughts, ideals and concepts regarding how we use foods in the early childhood environment.

It's about attitudes and ideals we convey to children in the process of teaching and supporting diversity and cultural awareness.

[My3cents]

not hyper focused I do see the bigger picture...just don't agree

People are so hyper focused on one sticking point.

It's NOT about using food IN things.
It's NOT about actual food.
It's NOT about food waste/starving kids

It's about cultural respect and teaching children how other cultures value things we don't or perceive things differently than others.

Clearly as a society we don't view food the same way as others do. It's deeper than the actual bin of rice or beans.

It's not a black and white topic where you either use food or you don't. It's a much bigger broader subject with meaningful thoughts, ideals and concepts regarding how we use foods in the early childhood environment.

It's about attitudes and ideals we convey to children in the process of teaching and supporting diversity and cultural awareness.

It is about the food.

The teachings and respect go both ways. My attitude and ideal does not have to line up with everyone else. I feel the benefits of using some foods for play far out weight the negatives.

Best Practice- I don't want to be best. I want to be good and real and I want to find my own balance of what works for me. Not be cookie cuttered into something I am not.

I am creative. I love art. Art comes in many forms- it should never be made into one persons ideal way of thinking.

If someone didn't play with food you would not see all those fancy high class meals presented on the food/cooking channels and restaurants.

The starving child in my daycare is a much bigger problem then the child playing with colored rice. I also find that the children in my care are way too young to understand the cultural differences at this level. I find this to be an adult debate. The much broader topic at hand is way above our children's age appropriate capability.

I am not an unfeeling person or lack understanding of the poor, starving or different cultures because I let my children in my care play with rice, beans,water or noodles or play dough or paint.

I can teach how other cultures value things but it doesn't mean that I have to take on those same values.

I agree there is no black and white here and it should not be pushed on me one way or the other in my business of how I run my daycare.

Thanks BlackCat for the good read. I am still Pro food use in play/art. Usually most of the time, you and I line up in our daycare beliefs but on this one we will have to agree to disagree and that is ok! 3Cents

[hwichlaz]

The home made play dough my group uses is made with flour, salt, oil-all “edible foods”.

So does store bought playdough. It's the same recipe except the add alum to make it unpleasant to eat. However, alum is used to make pickles, so still edible.

[hwichlaz]

I think playdough is only a food issue if you have the kids help make it. It's not recognizable as a food once it's made.