The Importance of Food in a Child’s Learning Journey
- Genesis Childcare 1989 - Tampines
- May 27, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
By Genesis Childcare 1989
Whether you’re someone who lives to eat or simply eats to live, there’s no denying that food is an essential part of our lives. For adults, meals go beyond satisfying hunger—they’re moments of connection, laughter, and bonding with loved ones. For children, especially infants and toddlers, food is far more than nutrition. It’s a gateway to learning, sensory exploration, and emotional development.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that food is not only vital for physical growth but also a key tool in supporting children’s cognitive, sensory, and emotional development. In our Tampines infant care and Tampines preschool, our educators carefully design food-related experiences that encourage curiosity, independence, and healthy habits—laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Food as a Learning Experience
In a previous article, we discussed how parents can begin introducing solid foods to babies around six months of age. One effective approach is baby-led weaning, where infants learn to self-feed using their fingers. This practice not only supports independence but also sparks curiosity and exploration.
But beyond the mealtime, parents can turn food into fun and educational activities. At Genesis Childcare 1989, our Tampines child care educators integrate food play and sensory learning into daily routines. These activities engage multiple senses—sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound—allowing infants and toddlers to learn through hands-on experiences.
Developing Sensory, Fine, and Gross Motor Skills
Encouraging children to touch, squeeze, and explore food helps develop both sensory awareness and motor coordination. In our Tampines nursery, children are guided through activities that allow them to safely handle different textures and shapes of food. This helps them refine their fine motor skills, such as grasping and pinching, which later support writing, dressing, and other essential abilities.
Parents can try simple activities at home, too. For instance, let your baby feel the texture of a whole fruit, like a watermelon, before cutting it open to reveal its vibrant inside. Allow them to explore cooked foods with their fingers—mashed potatoes, soft fruits, or small strips of vegetables are perfect for tactile exploration.
However, always remember safety first. Choose soft, age-appropriate foods and be mindful of choking hazards. Begin with strip-sized foods that are easy to hold, and gradually move to smaller, pea-sized pieces once your child masters the pincer grasp. Avoid hard, round foods in the early stages.
Sensory play is critical for brain development. Each time a child explores through touch, sight, and taste, new neural pathways are formed. These connections enhance cognitive growth and lay the groundwork for complex skills such as language acquisition, problem-solving, and social communication.
And yes—expect a little mess! At Genesis Childcare 1989, our educators embrace the learning process even when it gets messy, knowing that these experiences spark creativity and discovery. Parents can do the same at home—spread a plastic mat, let your child explore freely, and enjoy the learning moments together.
Building Emotional and Social Skills Through Food
When children are allowed to self-feed, they are also learning independence and decision-making. Deciding which food to pick first, how much to eat, or when to stop fosters confidence and self-control. These small acts of choice give them a sense of agency and ownership over their actions.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we encourage this independence in our Tampines preschool classrooms. Children help with snack preparation, serve themselves, and even assist in cleaning up after meals. These simple routines nurture responsibility, patience, and teamwork.
Parents can build on this at home. Involve your child in grocery shopping—let them choose fruits, vegetables, or snacks. This teaches decision-making and helps them understand the consequences of their choices. As they grow, involve them in age-appropriate kitchen tasks such as stirring, washing vegetables, or setting the table.
For parents, this can also be a lesson in letting go—trusting your child to make small decisions and learn from them. When children contribute to preparing meals, they feel proud and purposeful. It strengthens their self-esteem and creates a sense of belonging within the family.
Cooking and cleaning together can also be powerful bonding moments. Sharing these tasks turns everyday routines into opportunities for connection. At Genesis Childcare 1989, our teachers understand that strong emotional bonds between children and caregivers are essential to a child’s sense of security and emotional health.
When children feel loved and supported, they become more resilient, empathetic, and ready to face challenges. Through group meals and collaborative food activities, our Tampines child care center fosters not just healthy eating habits, but also empathy and cooperation among peers.
Boosting Cognitive and Language Development
Food experiences also open endless opportunities for language enrichment. When introducing new foods, use descriptive language—name the item, discuss its color, texture, shape, and taste. For example: “This banana is yellow and soft,” or “The apple is round and crunchy.” These moments build your child’s vocabulary and help them understand new concepts through direct experience.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our teachers use food exploration as a fun way to introduce opposite words and sensory terms. Children learn to identify wet vs. dry, soft vs. hard, warm vs. cold, and smooth vs. rough. By connecting words to real sensations, children grasp meanings more deeply.
Even if infants can’t yet verbalize words, listening and observing are part of early language learning. Repetition, tone, and context help them associate sounds with meaning. Parents are encouraged to talk during mealtime—describe what you’re doing, name ingredients, and use positive expressions.
In our Tampines nursery and Tampines infant care programs, we also introduce children to multiple languages during mealtimes, incorporating English and Mother Tongue languages like Mandarin or Malay. This exposure strengthens their linguistic foundation and cultural awareness. Parents can practice the same at home—say “apple” in English and then in another language, turning it into a playful bilingual exercise.
Learning Through Everyday Moments and the Importance of Food
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that every moment presents a chance to learn — even during mealtime. Food plays an essential role in a child’s growth and development, not just as nourishment but as a valuable learning tool. Through food-related activities, children explore textures, tastes, colors, and even cultures, building their sensory awareness and appreciation for healthy eating.
These activities don’t need to be elaborate. Simple moments like stirring batter, peeling a banana, or naming colors on a fruit platter spark curiosity, develop coordination, and nurture creativity. Each food experience helps children connect learning with daily life while understanding the importance of balanced nutrition.
We also recognize that every child develops at their own pace. Some may eagerly embrace self-feeding or food play, while others take time to feel comfortable. Our dedicated educators in Tampines infant care and Tampines preschool programs carefully observe and guide each child, ensuring they receive the right balance of support and independence.
When parents and educators work together to promote healthy eating habits and positive food experiences, children gain lifelong benefits — growing stronger physically, developing sharper minds, and thriving emotionally.
A Holistic Approach to Growth
Food is more than fuel—it’s a bridge between learning and love. It brings families together, sparks curiosity, and helps children discover the world through their senses. By incorporating food into play and learning, parents can help their little ones develop important life skills that extend far beyond the dining table.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our Tampines child care, Tampines preschool, Tampines nursery, and Tampines infant care programs are thoughtfully designed to nurture the whole child. Through structured lessons, creative exploration, and real-world experiences like food-based learning, we help children build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love for learning.
So the next time you sit down for a meal or prepare food with your child, remember—it’s not just about eating. It’s about learning, bonding, and growing together. With the right guidance and environment, every bite can become a step toward your child’s brighter, healthier future.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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