17/08/2026
A child's healthy eating journey doesn't begin only at school. It starts at home and grows stronger when families and educators work together.
This reflects the Japanese concept of Shokuiku (食育), or food education, which teaches children to build a positive relationship with food through balanced nutrition, hands-on experiences, and healthy habits from an early age.
Since Japan introduced the Shokuiku Basic Law in 2005, activities such as growing vegetables, cooking, and nutrition education have become an important part of early childhood learning. These efforts have helped stabilise childhood obesity rates while encouraging children and parents to take a greater interest in healthy eating.
This is especially meaningful as research shows that many Malaysian children consume enough calories but still miss out on essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. At the same time, childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise.
Recently, our children experienced Shokuiku firsthand. They harvested fresh spinach from the garden, touched and explored the leaves, helped prepare the ingredients, cooked together, and proudly tasted the meal they had created. These meaningful, hands-on experiences encourage children to become more curious about healthy foods and more willing to try them.
At Mandarin Lighthaus, we embrace the principles of Shokuiku by encouraging children to explore healthy foods through fun, hands-on learning experiences. With your support at home by offering balanced meals, nutritious snacks, and being a positive role model, we can help children build healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
Together, let's nurture happier, healthier children, one meal at a time. 💚
