Proper mealtimes in schools will also teach kids about self-care

There have been several letters recently on primary school schedules not allowing proper lunch times. It is not the first time parents have raised such concerns.

(Ensure students have meals at a proper time, by Ms Lim Wan Keng, Jan 25; No 'correct' timing for children's meals; Jan 29 and Appropriate meal breaks in schools will promote healthy eating habits by Mr Justin Mencher; Jan 31).

I would like to chip in with other concerns which were not touched on by the earlier letter writers.

Most schools allow pupilsa short 10-minute break for snacks around noon, but require the pupils to bring food from home. This means that the food they eat every day is prepared at least five to seven hours before the time of consumption.

I would like to ask if this is a safe or healthy practice, considering there are rules like that of the National Environment Agencywhich clearly stipulate that catered meals need to be consumed within four hours of preparation to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

So, when choosing snacks for children, this leaves only whole fruits and foods that are dry, or processed with salt, sugar or preservatives - most of which are a far cry from what can be considered healthy.

It is important to consider the long-term impact of allowing unhealthy snacking, as children learn to reach out for biscuits rather than proper meals to curb hunger pangs.

Child psychologists have long suggested the importance of introducing and supporting self-care in children. Our children need to know that eating is an important activity. Yet the existing schedule that pushes the time allotted for eating into a marginal space is training children to consider eating as an irrelevant and even troublesome routine, when compared with "more important" things such as learning maths or science.

Sociologists have highlighted that the enjoyment of food and dining is an important social and emotional skill that correlates with mental well-being, whether it is a child or an adult.

If we consistently put across the opposite message in our formal education system, how can we expect our children to learn to respect and enjoy food and dining, and, in turn, gain valuable lessons in self-care?

Sin Harng Luh (Dr)

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 01, 2018, with the headline Proper mealtimes in schools will also teach kids about self-care. Subscribe