Gardening and Nutrition Experiences
for the Young Child
Role of the Family
Social modeling by family (as well as peers) plays a particularly large role in the early development of food preferences (Birch & Fisher, 1995).
Preschools and child care centers can serve as a vehicle for creating behavioral change around food choices at the family level.
The families of the children participating in the Early Sprouts project are kept well informed of the Early Sprouts activities through monthly newsletter articles from the Center.
Families are invited to participate in garden planting, classroom-based sensory and cooking activities, and food-based special events, such as the “stone soup” luncheon (made from target vegetables) or the butternut squash pancake breakfast, as well as family nutrition education programming.
