State Standards
The provision of high-quality early childhood education services encompasses the use of appropriate nutritional practices. Educational facilities have to comply with a set of standards developed and offered by the California Department of Education. For instance, state standards cover such areas as mealtime, nutritional peculiarities of meal, diversity aspects, serving meals, and some others (California Department of Education [CDE], 2020a).
These standards are evidence-based and aim at ensuring the proper development of children. The recommendations include the use of an age-appropriate amount of fruit and vegetables, as well as the adoption of family-style meal service (CDE, 2020a). This approach is instrumental in reaching such goals as ensuring children’s autonomy, empowering them, and involving them in decision-making and meal serving practices.
As for the nutritional aspect, specific attention is paid to the maximum possible use of sugar (CDE, 2020b). These strict guidelines ensure reaching the national health programs targeting the reduction of the use of sugar and the decrease in the incidence of such illnesses as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders.
The state standards are also based on federal recommendations regarding diversity aspects. For instance, the provision of vegetarian options is recommended as a response to the needs of diverse cultural groups (U. S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2016). Serving tofu or other soy-containing products is seen as appropriate, so educational facilities include such menu components based on the needs of their communities.
The current standards are also based on various acts concerning the rights of people with disabilities. Educational facilities are required to provide the corresponding services to students with special needs trying to involve them in common nutritional practices. These recommendations and guidelines can create an inclusive environment.
Observation
The observed videos feature meal times at educational facilities with a focus on the use of family-style meal serving. Pre-plated meals are now seen as less appropriate for early childhood educational settings as compared to the family-style approach (CDE, 2020a). At that, the former format is still used and has its advantages such as convenience and costs control (MSDE TV, 2018). Pre-plated meals are still widely used, especially in facilities with limited resources (Taispot, 2009; ECA Learning Hub, 2012).
However, in my opinion, this format should not be preserved, and family-style meals should become a new standard. Clearly, parents are informed about the benefits and disadvantages of each nutritional practice and should be encouraged to agree to the shift to the family-style paradigm (Arizona Department of Health Services, 2010).
Parental involvement is critical in diverse areas, including nutrition. It is also important to make sure that children receive similar messages regarding food from their parents and from their teachers. Importantly, during their mealtimes, children are trained, and nutrition-related physical education standards are addressed (California State Board of Education, 2010).
These goals can be met more effectively when the family-style meal service is adopted. Children learn about healthy eating, as well as habits and manners, and acquire the corresponding skills (Montessori New Zealand, 2013; Better Kid Care, 2015). At the same time, it is essential to ensure compliance with all the sanitation requirements and standards. The observed videos feature rather effective practices as children have all the necessary utensils to meet sanitation recommendations.
I spotted one case of inappropriate food preparation practice in a Montessori center where a girl with long hair grated cheese (Montessori New Zealand, 2013). However, another episode displayed another practice involving children wearing appropriate headbands. All in all, the practices featured in the videos show that children become more involved and feel empowered, which has a positive impact on their development.
References
Arizona Department of Health Services. (2010). Family style meals in the childcare setting [Video file]. Web.
Better Kid Care. (2015). Family style dining [Video file]. Web.
California Department of Education. (2020a). CACFP Administrative manual section 10.1. Web.
California Department of Education. (2020b). Preschool meal pattern requirements for schools. Web.
California State Board of Education. (2010). Physical education model content standards for California public schools: Kindergarten through grade twelve. Web.
ECA Learning Hub. (2012). Discovering—lunchtime. Web.
Montessori New Zealand. (2013). Montessori in New Zealand: Young children preparing community lunch [Video file]. Web.
MSDE TV. (2018). The CACFP mealtime environment [Video file]. Web.
Taispot. (2009). Tai eats lunch at daycare [Video file]. Web.
U. S. Department of Agriculture. (2016). Federal register. Web.