Mellow Mealtimes
In my first few years of teaching, eating wasn’t something I paid much attention to. Lunches were packed and sent to school with children, and aside from the occasional sugary treat I’d send back with a note saying “please save for home,” I wasn’t thinking much about it.
A few years ago, I stumbled upon Kids Eat In Color on Instagram. I was so fascinated by the approach to eating that was linked to respect for the child, healthy boundaries, and freedom within limits—all important tenets of Montessori philosophy. I found the information to be incredibly helpful, even in my personal life. One idea that really struck me was the concept of food as ‘morally neutral.’ Eliminating the “good” and “bad” labels from food was a game-changer! It gave me a better relationship with food, allowing me to eat what I wanted, guilt-free, which in turn eliminated the scarcity mindset. I started to eat for the joy of it, instead of feeling anxious or guilty.
Bringing This Approach to the Classroom
It was fun to bring this approach to my students. I’d look at their lunches and say things like, “Ooh! You’ve got sugar snap peas—they’re so crunchy! Take a bite, and I’ll listen.” We don’t need to reduce nutrition to simple “good” or “bad” categories; kids can handle more information. At my dinner table, we talk about food in terms of what it does for our bodies: “The cookie is yummy and gives quick energy,” or “The carrot is crunchy and helps our eyes.” It’s still a bit abstract for my six-year-old, but over time, she’s learning to view food in a neutral way, enjoy it, use its nutrients, and feel proud of feeding herself. Mealtimes are now enjoyable and connected, free from nagging, bribing, or convincing.
How It Looks At Home
We do have some boundaries, like sitting at the table during meals and helping with tasks—whether it’s cooking, setting napkins, or clearing plates. We also make sure our daughter has a wide variety of choices and always gets full. If we serve tomatoes, which she dislikes, we explain that tastes change. A tomato in February may taste different than one in June or from our garden. If she never likes tomatoes, that’s fine too—but we’re still working on that one!
You can find Kids Eat In Color on instagram @kids.eat.in.color or here: https://kidseatincolor.com/