Duration: 1 day
Level: Intermediate
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences
Synopsis
This course is designed for educators and parents seeking effective, research-informed strategies to support children who are selective or hesitant eaters. By combining sensory science, responsive mealtime principles, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics)-based experiential learning, it offers practical tools that can be applied immediately in classrooms and homes. While professionally grounded, the programme remains interactive, enjoyable, and highly relevant to real-world mealtime challenges.
Who Should Attend
Early childhood educators, senior teachers, curriculum leaders, centre leaders, parents and caregivers, and professionals involved in facilitating mealtimes at infant care, childcare, kindergarten or home settings.
Topics
- Defining Responsive Mealtime Practices
- The Eight Sensory Systems
- The Food Exposure Hierarchy
- STEAM-based Food Activities
- Mealtime Tools and Strategies
- Safety Expectations and Guidelines
- Managing Challenges and Seeking Support
Objectives
- To strengthen caregivers’ abilities to employ responsive mealtime practices.
- To enhance caregivers’ confidence in facilitating learning through STEAM-based food activities.
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Describe the characteristics of responsive, sensory mealtime strategies in the early childhood context.
- Examine the role of early childhood educators in facilitating food-based STEAM learning experiences.
- Distinguish between feeding challenges that can be handled by caregivers and those that may require specialist support.
- Identify feeding frameworks, strategies and tools to support young children’s holistic health at mealtimes.
B. Key Skills (Practical Component)
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Employ responsive feeding strategies to support mealtimes across early childhood settings.
- Develop activities to nurture children’s STEAM learning and development through food.
Schedule
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | |
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Welcome & Introduction to the Course |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | The Sensory-Brain Connection |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 - 12:00 | Engineering Exposure: The Graduated Steps |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 – 15:00 | STEAM in the Kitchen Lab: From Play to Palate |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Break |
| 15:15 – 16:00 | Strategy, Behaviour, and Safety Toolkit |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Assessment |
*SUSS reserves the right to change the course dates, topics and trainers.
Assessments
- Online Test
Requirements
- Have a minimum of 3 GCE 'N' Level passes or equivalent, including English.
- Have prior exposure to health and nutrition topics through their educational background, professional role, or industry.
- Have an interest in applied, hands-on learning.
About the Trainers
Cynthia Cheong is a mother of two, former accountant, and the founder of sensory weaning enterprise, Little Explorers Kitchen. She is a keen advocate for healthy, joyful eating from the first bite. Motherhood sparked her passion for nutrition and baby-led weaning. As a sensory weaning coach, Cynthia has supported numerous families in creating positive, stress-free mealtimes through sensory touch. She also helps caregivers examine how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can build resilience in little ones. Her main aim is to empower caregivers to raise confident eaters with fun, practical tools.
Dr. Chin Hui Wen is an early childhood education lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. A former food writer and preschool teacher, she completed her Doctorate in Innovative Teaching and Learning at Northeastern University in 2024 and was awarded the Dean’s Medal. She also holds a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Boston University, Master of Arts in Food Studies from New York University, and a Bachelor of the Arts in Media and Communications and American Studies from the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on teacher education and mealtime practices. For her current work with both pre- and in-service preschool teachers, she received the 2025 SUSS Excellence in Teaching Award.
Application Procedures
Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:
- Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S"
Pass for foreign applicant
- Application form
Course Fee
1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy:
Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course
fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support
for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21
and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
- Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
- Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course.
- The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend
and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice.
For the various payment modes, please refer here.
Course Withdrawal and Refund
Request for withdrawal from a course must be submitted to SUSS Academy formally in writing.
- Course Withdrawal before Application Close Date: No charges.
- Course Withdrawal after course confirmation: 50% of the full course fee with an administration fee imposed.
- Course Withdrawal after the course commences: Full course fee applies.
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]