A few weeks ago we mentioned chef Jamie Oliver's recent win of the TED Prize, and his determination to educate and inspire the public (especially kids) about eating healthier foods. As part of his strategy, Jamie has created a new TV series, called Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. One of the clips from the show that's horrifying educators and foodies alike is Jamie's visit to a first grade classroom to ask kids to identify fruits and veggies in their natural form. The kids can't do it. Jamie holds up tomatoes and asks kids what they are. One child ventures: "Potatoes?"
See the clip below:
I'm actually not surprised; in fact, I wonder how many adults could name all those fruits and veggies. After all, we're exposed daily to commercials hawking junk and processed food, but rarely do we see anything promoting produce in its pure form. (I grew up on iceberg lettuce, canned corn and bananas, myself, so I'm not sure how I would have fared with this test at age 6.)
Jamie's test should confirm for us the importance of teaching children when they're young about the world around them. Six-year-olds can certainly start thinking critically and creatively (at least in relation to the world they know) about the choices they make; they can explore and ask questions; they can make connections. As one high school student said, "We should have been learning this [i.e., humane education issues] since kindergarten!"
~ Marsha
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