sandraab21 Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 Hi, I was just wondering whether anyone has a successful rolling snack bar with their toddlers, I have seen it work really well for preschool and would like to try something similar for the younger children.
Guest Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 we have them from 2yrs 6months and they cope with it fine don't know if younger would be any good because the food is available for them to take at any time. maybe some one else will have tried it with younger children
belle06 Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 we do a rolling snack bar for our children from two years which works really well
Guest katylouise1984 Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 We have on going snack for 18 mths+. It was a bit of a nightmare at first but they soon got used to it. We always have 1 member of staff within arms reach just in case though!!
HappyMaz Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 I think babybel is the ultimate rolling snack for toddlers... I'd really like to see some research into whether rolling snack or sit down snack is best - ultimately I guess its best to do whatever feels right for your setting. Maz
Guest Posted May 15, 2008 Posted May 15, 2008 We use the rolling snack at the pre-school for our 2 and 3 year olds. It's works well, with one member of staff sitting at the table and another on hand to help with any problems. The children decide what fruit they want, help to chop and peel and take an active part in snack activities. Some children love to just sit and listen to conversations, whilst others confidently talk about any news, what they've been doing etc.. Andrea
denisse Posted May 15, 2008 Posted May 15, 2008 I introduced a rolling snack time with all my staff saying it wouldn't work. The key to success is to keep going with it for at least 2 weeks before evaluating how it's going and to also inform your parents of the benefits e.g. children who have breakfast at different times in the morning needing snack at different times, 2 year olds not able to sit for the same length of time as 3 year olds, length of time it takes eating into the free play of the children. I have a guide to parents somewhere that I did as a response to parents who didn't think it was a good idea. Will try and find it and post it if anyone would find it useful. denisse
Guest Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I think babybel is the ultimate rolling snack for toddlers... I'd really like to see some research into whether rolling snack or sit down snack is best - ultimately I guess its best to do whatever feels right for your setting. Maz Good idea about research into this reoccuring topic. Maybe we should try and remember to suggest it when a forum members asks for ideas for study dissertations. Peggy
Guest Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 How do people work around food allergies and intolerances when rolling snack is offered? We currently have 3 dairy intolerant, 1 banana intolerant and 1 egg allergy.The children are not yet at an age where they 'know' that eating these things makes them ill.I'm unsure how easy it would be to maintain adequate supervision at the snack bar and in the rest of the room.
Beau Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 When we had a little boy who was allergic to dairy and egg we just made sure that all of the snack was safe for him on the days he came to playgroup. It did limit us but decided this was the best way to go. Sometimes we did have yoghurts and he had a soya one instead but he knew that his was different and in fact had been schooled by his mum in those things which 'made him sick'.
sam2368 Posted May 19, 2008 Posted May 19, 2008 I have preschoolers, 3-4yrs and rolling snack is great if they're not busy. There are many, many sessions when we have to remind the children to go for snack. For those who prefer not to partake, we prepare a bit extra and offer the plate around during story time. I'd really like our younger group to do it too but it's difficult as they don't have a sink in their room. Also is it wise to allow children to pick and choose when they eat? Some of ours will have snack at 945 then will be hungry again by 11am. At the same time, I prefer rolling snack to group snack as it gives us loads of opportunity for observing how they interact, their physical abilities when preparing the fruit, their knowledge of where it comes from etc. It also means they're sitting down for less time than they were for group snack so get more out of the available resources.
Guest Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 We still go with the 'group snack' time. The reason we made this decision is that we believe the children benefit from the routine of knowing when snack time is coming and the fantastic social interaction that happens whilst they are eating. They have some wonderful conversations, plus a member of staff sits with each table and chats to the children. For my younger children I worry about them running around with food. It also means that whilst the snack bar was open a member of staff would have to look after the food, leaving less staff to interact and work with the children. This is just my opinion
HappyMaz Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 I've been asking for the views of our parents about this, and they (well the few who have responded anyway) feel that they want us to retain our sit down snacktime - they say that when children come to tea most children don't know how to sit at a table and eat in a group. Rightly or wrongly they see a snack bar arrangement as giving permission to graze.... I think I need to do some more formal research...
Beau Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 I've been asking for the views of our parents about this, and they (well the few who have responded anyway) feel that they want us to retain our sit down snacktime - they say that when children come to tea most children don't know how to sit at a table and eat in a group. Rightly or wrongly they see a snack bar arrangement as giving permission to graze.... I think I need to do some more formal research... When we organised our snack system we specifically didn't want children to 'graze' and also valued the fact that the children sat together and were keen that this valuable learning opportunity wasn't lost. We put aside one table and snack is available for children during the middle part of the session. One of the 'rules' of our snack bar was that children came for snack, ate a reasonable amount and then left - once they left they couldn't come back for more later. We also found that the children would come to the table with their group of friends and eat all together. They became very good at counting how many spaces were at the table and waiting until the appropriate number was available before going to snack. Since they came with their friends and sat in a small group all the benefits of a 'sit down' snack all together were there but the children had the choice of when they came and who they were sitting with.
Aunt Sally Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 I too am torn on the idea of a rolling snack. I work with SEN children and find that a sit down snack has so many teaching and learning opportunities. I can see the benefits for older children but part of me feels that for toddlers a sit down snack time is better because you can role model good sitting and eating habits so that perhaps when they are 3+ they have the skills to engage in a rolling snack system.
Guest Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 We are moving over to a rolling snack bar from September as we will be offering flexible hours between 9-3. As children will be arriving and leaving at different times, a group sit down snack time will be difficult. I have mixed feelings about the change as I see our snack time as a time for some friendly socialising and chatting. For some of our children, it is the only time that they actually sit at a table to eat anything. However I can also see the benefits of a rolling snack bar - I am expecting chaos for a while but from what others have posted, the children soon get the hang of it. Sally
HappyMaz Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 I am expecting chaos for a while but from what others have posted, the children soon get the hang of it. I'll be interested to know how you get on Sally - and if you manage to retain the social aspects into your new system. My guess is that children will come in groups to eat - but I do worry about the child who likes to play alone who may not be invited to join in. I guess that's where the adults come in - making sure the system works for everyone! Will you keep us posted? Could you do a blog? Maz
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