In this hands-on digestive system experiment, children will explore the process of the digestive system and breaking down food in the mouth by mimicking the actions of saliva and teeth. They’ll gain an understanding of how our bodies start to digest food before it even reaches the stomach!
Exploring Food Breakdown in the Mouth: Fun Digestive System Kids Experiment
Supplies needed:
-Saltine crackers or bread slices (1 per child)
-Plastic zipper-lock bags (1 per child)
-Small cups of warm water (1 per child)
-A timer or stopwatch
-Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
-Paper
Instructions:
Step 1: Start by discussing the importance of chewing food and how the process of breaking down food in the mouth is the first step in digestion.
Step 2: Give each child a plastic zipper-lock bag and a saltine cracker or bread slice.
Step 3: Instruct them to place the cracker or bread slice into the bag, representing the food they want to “digest.”
Step 4: Ask them to take a small sip of warm water and swish it around their mouths before spitting it back into the bag. Explain that this simulates the action of saliva, which contains enzymes that start breaking down carbohydrates in our food.
Step 5: Seal the bags and set a timer for 2 minutes.
Step 6: During the 2-minute “digestion” period, encourage the children to gently knead and mash the cracker or bread slice inside the bag, mimicking the action of chewing.
Step 7: After 2 minutes, ask the children to stop “chewing” and remove the cracker or bread slice from the bag.
Step 8: Gather the children for a group discussion about what they observed during the experiment.
Step 9: Ask them to describe the changes they noticed in the cracker or bread slice after simulating the chewing and saliva process.
Step 10: Emphasize the importance of chewing food thoroughly to aid in digestion and nutrient absorption.
Step 11: Discuss how the experiment relates to real-life food breakdown in the mouth and why it’s essential for good digestion.
Step 12: Have the kids draw and label diagrams of a mouth and the food breakdown process to reinforce their understanding.
Snap a pic and show us how it’s done! We’d love to see you try out this experiment. If you do, tag us on Facebook or Instagram!
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