To help us understand a little more about other cultures Reception have been looking at the Jewish festival of Tu B'Shevat. This is also known as the Jewish New Year for trees.  Many Jewish communities observe the festival by eating fruit on this day. The Torah praises seven 'fruits', in particular grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Many Jewish people also try to eat a new fruit, which can be any seasonal fruit.

After a lengthy discussion about the purpose of trees (to provide homes for squirrels), we all tasted the fruits mentioned in the Torah.

The children then went on to try a range of different fruits such as papaya, lychees, physalis and dragon fruit. What was most impressive was the enthusiasm with which every piece of fruit was tasted, even the one that "looks like frogs babies". No one refused to try anything and the children all went home with a list of new fruits that they would like to have again. This activity provided a fun and tasty way to encourage healthy eating and the confidence to try new experiences.