When we were little we were taught NOT to play with our food. What a mistake! If only Mange Tout had been around!
Mange Tout, at Broomwood Methodist Church hall on Kyrle Road, holds classes where little ones can learn about food in an exciting and fun way. They’ll learn about healthy food and basic nutrition and even the fussiest of eaters will come away with a new appreciation of food.
The classes are devised by Lucy Thomas, who had ten years’ experience as a professional nanny before going on to gain her diploma in Food and Nutrition.
Lucy realised that children are far more responsive to new foods if they are not asked to eat or taste it straight away.
The classes encourage children to explore and familiarise themselves with a wide range of fruit and vegetables getting up to all sorts of exciting activities before they actually taste the stuff; peeling, planting, chopping, mashing and yes, playing with their food along the way. Touch and smell are just as valuable as tasting food.
Games and stories are a fun part of the lessons. Don’t be surprised when your little one bursts into the ‘Hokey Cokey Cucumber’ just before dinner time.
Dr Catherine Dendy, a clinical psychologist and feeding specialist, formerly of the Great Ormond Street Hospital feeding team said of the classes: ‘The Mange Tout Programme really works because all the techniques Lucy has developed are based on sound educational and psychological principles… [I] feel strongly that every child should have the opportunity to experience this fantastic programme!’
The classes are £132 for a course of 12 (£11 a lesson) plus an annual membership fee of £10. Your child will be given an apron and supportive literature too. These classes are designed for children who have been weaned (typically toddlers from 18 months up to children of four or five).
Classes are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays with four classes throughout the day at 10am, 11am, 3.30pm and 4.30pm. Each class is 45 minutes long. You can also get one-to-one sessions for your child.
For more details call Mange Tout on 020 8672 2400.
Broomwood Methodist Church Hall
Kyrle Road, Off Broomwood Road
Clapham Common, SW11 6BD
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