More Than A Snack
In RIE® Parent-Infant Guidance™ Classes, it’s a common practice for the facilitators to offer a snack to children who are comfortably sitting upright on their own. Often the snack consists of a small piece of banana and a glass of water. It is so simple and yet such a highlight for many of the children in the classes.
As a RIE Practicum student, I was terrified to offer snack to the lively group of 8 toddlers in our toddler class at the time. Oh my! You’d think I was preparing for high tea at the Ritz - bibs and pitchers and glasses just so. A lot of preparations go into meal times - a lot!
Just before snack time, I mentioned to the group that it was time to prepare for snack. Many of the children were already accustomed to snack time with Anna Ruth who was my RIE Mentor at the time. These children - all around age 2 and 2.5 - knew just what to do and how to participate if they wished. I calmly walked over to the corner of the room to pick-up the rolled up mat that protects against spills and sticky hands. I then walked out of the play space to pick-up the low table. Some of the children eagerly waited at the gate to help me carry the table. What a workout! Next it was the stools and finally the basket with my supplies prepared just so.
I had seen it so many times before on the other side of the gate and within the gate when my own child had been a participant, but serving the children myself helped me to appreciate the wonderful act of giving and being together that this form of snack offers.
By the time the mat is rolled out and the low table and chairs are placed on it, many of the children have already taken their places.
There are of course a few rules as they are in most places where food is served.
Here’s our short list:
Participation is optional and must be of the child’s choosing.
The children must be seated to participate in snack.
The children must wear a bib to participate in snack.
The children must wash hands to participate in snack.
The water is for drinking, not spilling.
And would you believe it?!
The children who wished to participate sat.
They wore bibs.
They offered their hands for washing.
They waited their turn and then ate their pieces of banana.
Some waited their turn for seconds.
They carefully sipped water from glasses just their size.
They eagerly cleaned up any spills.
And then just like that … one by one they … when they were finished … they took off their bibs, stood up, walked away and spent the rest of their time playing.
It was so civilized!
It was so pleasant - joyful even!
We worked together!
And it was fun!
Snack in our classes is certainly more than just a snack. It’s an opportunity for the children to come together in a way that affirms their tremendous capability for calm and orderly eating. They learn clear limits with natural consequences - “If I don’t sit, I can’t eat.” “If I don’t wash hands, I can’t eat.”
We offer snack in a consistent, predictable manner each week so the children know just what to expect and how to participate.
Consistent, predictable rhythms can help your family have more peaceful meal times too.
Here are some thoughts to consider as you prepare for the week ahead:
How do we honor coming together to share a meal?
How are we in community with one another?
How can we all know what to expect and how to participate?
How can this be a pleasurable experience for everyone?
Food for thought! :)