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Positive Relationships: Let's talk about ... Food play

Expressive Arts and Design Practice Positive Relationships Early Years Curriculum
It may come as a surprise how many issues there are to consider in using an accessible and relatively cheap resource like food for play. Annette Rawstrone spoke to nursery managers.

- Q: Do you use food products in activities?

'Yes, there are many positives that children gain from using food in their play. I think there is often no good substitute for the real thing - what would we use for rice or for chick peas? Where else would you find the texture of baked beans or cooked spaghetti?'

'We have "organic" in our title, which can leave us open to criticism. We are very careful of what food products we use in our play and are conscious of waste. We may open the odd tin of beans so children can explore the texture if it ties in to a topic or a discussion, but we would never use bucketloads.'

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