Supper School: New research from HelloFresh finds dinnertime is key for educating children AND parents

• 63% of parents say that conversations over the dinner table make them feel more connected with their children
• Half (50%) of families consider dinnertime to be the best moment to fully communicate with their families
• 53% say they are better listeners during dinnertime conversations than at any other point in the day

London, 2021: With new technology and the vast amount of entertainment readily available at our fingertips, the family dinnertime is a tradition that is arguably fading. However, new research commissioned by HelloFresh*, the UK’s leading meal kit provider, has found that dinnertimes are not only an important occasion for families to reconnect, but also offer valuable educational moments for both parents and children. 

Making time for family 

With over half (52%) of British parents revealing that dinnertimes are when they are able to get the most updates from their kids, it is perhaps unsurprising that 63% say mealtimes are crucial in making them feel more connected to their families. 

Highlighting the importance of taking time to break away from work priorities or the distractions of modern technology, 53% respondents also consider themselves better listeners at dinner time over any other point in the day.   

Educational eating 

A key educational moment for both parents and kids, the research has highlighted the importance of family mealtimes. 38% of parents say that dinnertimes often provoke their children to ask important questions about the food supply chain, offering valuable moments where they can educate them on farming and other produce suppliers.   

 Not always equipped to answer their children’s burning questions, 27% say they often search their tablet or smartphone for the answers. But education on the food supply chain is two-way, as over a third (34%) of parents say they themselves have learnt more about where food comes from by answering their children’s questions. 

Laurent Guillemain, CEO at HelloFresh UK said: “Our research reveals that dinnertime isn’t just about meals. It’s a time to come together, learn and have meaningful conversations. Now it’s term-time, this ritual of sharing is even more important. With over 36 recipes to select from each week delivered straight to your door, HelloFresh is a great accompaniment to family fun and conversation.”

With half (50%) of respondents agreeing that dinnertime is the perfect time to catch-up with friends and loved ones, the research also found which topics are being hotly discussed by British families. With pupils now back at school for the new academic year, 38% admit they usually talk about school or work during mealtimes. Other topics include discussing their friends and family members (30%) and questions about the food on their plates (23%).