When the americans like our french food education

I've just watched a video from the lycee français de New York :

It is interesting to see how american people see us as models in certain field. One of them is food.

They would like to take us as models in the way we learn our children to eat.

In fact, French food education is about sensory experential learning. Most of French parents focus on a large diversity of presenting food to their kids before they reach the age of 2. They want them to have a large exposure to different tastes. Then, French children are basically required to taste food, (when they are at school, they don't get any choice, there is only one menu), and even if they don't eat all, at least they have the chance to try and to encounter a large choice of food. It 's a classic french rule : "you are required to taste even though if you don't eat all !"

French people consider that food has to be learnt in a manner similar to the way we teach our children how to read. Learning don't stop during lunchtime !

As a matter of fact, french children have an expanded vocabulary about food, they have a greater food awareness, a higher vegetable intake, an increase acceptance of food.

The "tasting week" or "taste training classes" which happens in October is a good example of the interest for food in France.

Food is shown as fun ! Many of the tests are playful. Children have to find food placed in a bag or have eyes binded and have to taste different kind of products. The taste goal of the week is to help them to become competent eaters. They become confortable about trying new food with low pressure and friendly environment.