Watch How You Eat

Don’t play with your food. Set the table properly. Eating habits are not all the same around the world – and they have changed over the years. So watch HOW you eat.

CONNECT:

• Forks are a relatively recent piece of silverware, according to some people. You can see and read its history at http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/06/the_history_of_the_fork_when_we_started_using_forks_and_how_their_design_changed_over_time_.html
• When in Rome, do as the Romans. How about eating as the ancient Romans did? Find out more at http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/food/dishes.htm
• What do kids around the world eat for breakfast? Read all about it at http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/08/magazine/eaters-all-over.html
• Ever try eating with a spork or a trong? Look at these fun eating utensils: http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/13-weird-eating-utensils-from-sporks-to-trongs

CREATE:

• By age 5 children should be able to handle chopsticks. Here are simple directions on how to use them: http://www.parenting.com/article/teach-your-child-to-use-chopsticks. And you can learn culturally-sensitive practices at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbldexGclbw
• Start early to learn how to use eating utensils with Sesame Street (… or not): http://watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=25430&CategoryID=7498
• Try some of these food customs from around around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2RnaViWuuE

CARE:

• Here’s a video about teaching children how to set the table: http://watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=7886&CategoryID=7498
• Help make eating time pleasant by following Crawford the Cat’s habits: http://watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=33823&CategoryID=7498
• Eat to make money – to donate to a worthy cause. Here are some starting ideas: http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/ideas/eating-contest.html

CAREERS:

Getting a job, like eating, entails good manners. Here are some tips:

• http://study.com/articles/How_Good_Manners_Can_Help_You_Land_a_Great_Job.html
• https://www.umass.edu/careers/jobsearch/interviews/manners
• http://www.livecareer.com/interview-tips/during/attitude