“Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience.” -- Guy Fieri

Room 22 at Ashgrove and room 12 have recently participated in a Food Experiences Programme developed by our Specialist Services Team. The programme provides opportunities for positive, pressure-free, food experiences and guided exploration for our learners. 

The foods on offer are carefully planned for each student based on assessment. Being a part of this programme gives our ākonga the opportunity to explore flavours, textures, smells and sounds relating to the kai on offer.

During sessions, students are encouraged to use all of their senses to explore foods. They learn how to communicate about their experiences, including describing foods and expressing their likes and dislikes. This learning can carry into other situations such as exploring new and interesting things in the environment, becoming more hands-on in play, showing increased communication skills, and maybe even an increased interest in foods.

We start each session with a song about the senses and use Chat Mats, mini communication books and students' communication systems to enhance the meaning. Staff point to, and say, the senses-related vocabulary to support the words in the song. 

As you can see in the photos, the students (and staff) are learning and having fun!

There is a range of related experiences you can try at home too. Try listening to this Cocomelon, 5 Senses song and print out the attached mini communication books, or vocabulary pathways guides for Proloquo2Go or PODD systems. There is a high contrast (black background) mini book to use if your young person has visual difficulties. We have attached the "Introducing new foods" quick guide as a reference.

Please freely use and share the attached resources to support your own positive food experiences, and make contact with the Specialist Services Team for more information and guidance.