THIRD CULTURE KIDS
Children of the Third Culture is a Virtual French Kids Cultural Program which introduces youths to the practice of cultural appreciation, and intercultural comprehension. Through fun virtual activities, children will be transported to discover different cultural practices throughout the world, all while making connections to their own culture. Culture and traditions can vary from country to country, however children will discover that we all share things in common!
Workshop: “Table Manners Around the World” & Culinary Activity
As we kick off 2026, EFBA is delighted to present the fifth workshop in our Third Culture Kids cultural program. Inspired by the book by David Pollock and Ruth Van Reken, this program invites children to explore cultural diversity and deepen their intercultural understanding.
This workshop is free for EFBA students. Children and teens not enrolled in EFBA classes are also welcome, with a $19 participation fee that supports our nonprofit’s programs.
Workshop Overview
Participants will meet French speakers from a variety of cultural backgrounds who will share the art of dining in their cultures: how meals are eaten, the customs that surround them, and what these traditions reveal about their societies. The presentations will be followed by a hands-on cooking activity, ending the morning on a delicious note!
Learning Goals
By joining, participants will:
- Meet French speakers from diverse cultures and broaden their global perspective.
- Discover how culture and environment shape personal experiences.
- Learn and practice French vocabulary, related to food and cooking, while following a recipe!
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Did you know? In France, the art of dining is closely tied to social history. At the royal court, and later among the bourgeoisie, meals served as a stage for the hierarchy: specific place settings, the order of dishes, and even the length of a meal conveyed one’s rank and status. These codes left a lasting imprint on dining traditions. Today, even in everyday life, a meal is seen more as a moment to bond with family, rather than just a simple physiological need. In the Maghreb, the traditional practice of eating with the right hand—still common for dishes like couscous or tagine—has roots in both Islam and ancient customs of hospitality. The right hand, considered pure, represents the direct link between the body, food, and the sacred. Sharing a single dish, rather than dividing portions, reflects the meal as a moment of welcome, transmission, and community. Even though utensils are now widely used, this collective gesture continues to convey closeness and warmth. In Ethiopia, meals center on injera, a shared flatbread used to scoop up food. Eating from the same plate, and sometimes feeding another person directly (a gesture known as gursha), reflects a culture where the community takes precedence over the individual. Here, food is not just sustenance but also a profound expression of trust, solidarity, and social connection. |
When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 · 10:00–11:30 am PST
Schedule of the event:
10:00 to 10:30 am : Guest speakers share cultural traditions
10:30 to 11:15 am : Cooking activity
Target audience: Children and teens ages 6 and up. All French levels are welcome (note: the first part is easier for children with some French, but the cooking portion is fully accessible to all).
During the visit, you will need:
- A reliable computer (or tablet) with both webcam (video) and microphone (audio) capabilities.
- The following ingredients and utensils for the cooking activity (Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake):
| List of ingredients and utensils
Ingredients:
Cooking utensils:
Don’t have access to a microwave or need to make substitutions? Email julia@efba.us for an alternative recipe so everyone can participate! |
