Let's Eat Well Playmat

Let's Eat Well Playmat

Bring food vocabulary and sorting into a shared early years activity with the Let’s Eat Well Playmat. The circular illustrated design gives children examples of different food groups and a visual place to organise separately supplied props. Its 880mm diameter makes it a useful focus for a small-group conversation about familiar foods.

Illustrated food groups

Food groups occupy differently sized sections, with examples printed in each area. Children can look closely at the pictures, name a food they recognise and compare it with an item from a basket of play resources. The mat uses the supplier’s existing illustrated food-group design. Use it as a sorting and discussion resource with age-appropriate guidance from your setting.

Sort, describe and compare

Start with a small selection of clean empty packaging or suitable play food. Show one item, ask the child what it represents and look together for a related illustration. Invite them to place the prop on the chosen section and explain their thinking. Some foods contain several ingredients, so an adult can use those examples to discuss why sorting does not always have a single simple answer.

A place for conversation

Children can name colours, describe a shape, compare two props or talk about foods they have encountered. Offer open questions and allow children to respond with pointing, gestures or words. A practitioner can model a short sentence and then pause. The pictures can support this conversation without requiring children to read the printed labels independently.

Shared play and familiar experiences

A role-play shopping basket can supply the starting point for an activity. One child chooses a food prop while another looks for its picture, then they exchange roles. Discuss different family meals and the ingredients they might contain. Keep the conversation welcoming and factual, respecting differences in preferences, culture and individual dietary requirements.

Use within your own provision

Select props appropriate to the age and needs of the group. Empty packaging or model food avoids turning every sorting session into a tasting activity. If real food is used, follow the setting’s normal arrangements for allergies, hygiene and supervision. The mat is an educational conversation resource; current dietary guidance should come from the sources your setting uses for that purpose.

What is supplied

One food-group playmat with teaching notes and activities. Food, packaging and other activity props are not included. Product reference: SPBLP15. Verified measurement: 880mm diameter. Lifestyle images illustrate suggested activities; extra props are not supplied unless listed above.

Features and benefits

• Verified size: 880mm diameter. Use this measurement when planning the activity space and selecting a suitable arrangement for children to approach and participate.
• Supplied resources: One food-group playmat with teaching notes and activities. Food, packaging and other activity props are not included. Check these contents against the activity you want to provide; additional props can be selected separately.
• Learning focus: Food vocabulary, sorting and discussion. A practitioner can introduce one simple step, demonstrate it and give children time to respond in their own way.
• Child participation: Offer opportunities to point, describe, choose and take a turn. Adapt questions and instructions to the group rather than expecting one fixed response or outcome.
• Shared activity: The resource can become a focus for adult-child or peer conversation. Keep the group size appropriate to the space and allow each participant time to contribute.
• Flexible provision: Use within a nursery, classroom or supported learning setting. Choose the activity, accompanying resources and level of adult guidance to suit the intended users.
• Practical planning: Prepare a suitable clear surface and arrange separately purchased activity props nearby. Check the resource before use and follow the instructions supplied for handling and care.
• Clear product identity: Order using reference SPBLP15. The listing retains the supplier code so the resource can be matched to the original product when planning repeat purchases.