Pedagogical Meal: SISOG’s Unique Approach

Snacktime at SISOG is more than just a break, it is a learning moment.   

At SISOG, mealtime is more than just a pause in the day—it’s an integral part of the educational experience. We believe that how we eat is as important as what we eat. Following the Swedish curriculum, SISOG embraces “pedagogical meals,” making mealtime a rich, interactive learning experience, promoting not only healthy eating habits but also social, linguistic, and environmental awareness.

The Purpose of Pedagogical Meals

The primary goal of pedagogical meals is to foster a calm and balanced dining environment where natural conversations about food, health, sustainability, and language flourish. At SISOG mealtime is a positive, enjoyable experience for all students, reinforcing the importance of nutrition and creating lifelong healthy eating habits.

Teachers play a crucial role in this process. By sitting down and eating the same food as the students, teachers become role models, demonstrating balanced eating, good table manners, and effective communication. 

What is a Pedagogical Meal?

A pedagogical meal is about being fully engaged in the entire meal experience. This includes everything from setting the table to ensuring that the food cart returns to the kitchen. Teachers sit with the students, guiding them through the meal, encouraging them to try new foods, discussing the importance of nutrition and environmental stewardship, and fostering language development.

During these meals, teachers play a central role in shaping the overall dining experience. They create a pleasant atmosphere by fostering a positive attitude towards food and maintaining a calm, inviting environment that makes the meal enjoyable for everyone. By sharing the same food and sitting with the students, teachers act as role models, demonstrating what a balanced meal looks like and encouraging the children to explore a variety of foods. They also use this time to highlight the importance of sustainability, often initiating conversations about the environmental impact of food choices, promoting plant-based eating, and discussing ways to minimize waste. Additionally, mealtime provides a natural setting for language learning. Teachers engage students in conversation, reinforcing vocabulary, practicing sentence structure, and encouraging the use of a second language. This relaxed, interactive environment helps students develop their language skills organically, making the mealtime experience both educational and enjoyable.

Pedagogical Meals in the Swedish Curriculum

Pedagogical meals are embedded in the Swedish curriculum as an essential part of holistic education. The Swedish educational framework emphasizes the importance of integrating learning into everyday activities, and mealtime is recognized as an ideal opportunity for this. The curriculum highlights the role of meals in teaching social skills, fostering cultural understanding, and promoting healthy living—key components of a well-rounded education.

By aligning our mealtime practices with the Swedish curriculum, we ensure that our students are developing critical life skills. The focus on language during meals, for example, supports the curriculum's emphasis on language acquisition, helping students become proficient in both their native language and any additional languages they are learning.

A Holistic Approach to Eating

We take pride in offering nutritious meals that align with our values of health and sustainability. Processed sugars are kept to a minimum, and whenever possible, our caterers source bio and locally produced ingredients. 

Morning and Afternoon Snacks

Morning snacks consist of fruit and water, while the afternoon snack offers a more substantial option with a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fruits or vegetables.

Lunch Routine

Children wash their hands before every meal, reinforcing the importance of hygiene.

In Preschool, lunch is served either buffet-style or by the teachers, depending on the age and development of the group.

In Primary, students serve themselves from a buffet and are encouraged to try a little of everything. Teachers eat with the children, modeling healthy eating behaviors and fostering a positive dining experience.

Special dietary needs are always accommodated, with alternative meals provided in separate lunch boxes. Even with these special meals, students are encouraged to participate fully in the communal dining experience.

Conclusion

Cleaning up after the meai in the SISOG preschool.

Mealtime is a vital part of our educational mission at SISOG. Through pedagogical meals, we nourish our students’ bodies and also their minds, teaching them about nutrition, sustainability, language, and the joy of sharing a meal with others. By integrating these practices into our daily routine, we hope to instill lifelong healthy habits and an appreciation for the role food plays in our lives and the world around us.