By interacting with their surroundings, children are able to examine, question, and understand things around them and begin to build basic concepts, learning through exploration, discovering variety in foods, and developing sound nutrition habits. Parents, teachers, and child care providers can accumulate new ideas for planning exciting learning adventures for young children through food experiences. Understanding the developmental levels of young children is critical in order to plan effective learning activities. Developmentally Appropriate Learning Human development research says that a cycle of growth and change can be predicted in children during the first 9 years of life. Learning about development typical of children within this age span provides a structure for teachers to plan developmentally appropriate learning experiences and for parents to understand their child in an effort to develop practical expectations for children's accomplishments and actions.
Age appropriateness refers to the predictable sequences of growth occurring in young children.
Individual appropriateness adds the understanding that children are unique with individual patterns for growth and development. Rather than the child being molded to a particular learning environment, the learning setting should be adjusted for the child's interests and abilities. Food experiences include both science and nutrition learning. The first year From birth to about age 2, infants are concerned with making personal connections with others who are important in their worlds. They are trying to make sense out of the things around them and to develop a sense of trust.