Do elementary schools give enough time for lunch?

PRINCE GEORGE — A Change.org petition is calling for longer adult-supervised eating time at lunch for elementary school children in BC. Titled, Longer ADULT SUPERVISED eating time at lunch for elementary school children in BC, it has received over 11,000 signatures to date.

Schools throughout School District 57 have differing lunch periods. On average, elementary schools will allow 15 minutes for their students to eat and about half an hour for play, with some give and take for eating time.

Last spring, all schools sent out a survey looking for lunchtime feedback, but changes aren’t always possible due to bus times, collective agreements, and instructional needs. Changes were made at some schools, with one being a reverse lunch where children would first go out and play followed by a period for eating.

The minimum recommended time for children to eat lunch is 20 to 25 minutes. Emilia Moulechkova, School-Age Nutrition Lead with Northern Health, said, “having the proper eating time for kids helps with growth and development, social connections, and supports a child’s ability to learn.”