Sweden Mellanstadiet Home Economics Syllabus

Home Economics in the Mellanstadiet (years 4-6) focuses on developing practical life skills related to work, economics, and consumer choices within the home environment. The curriculum emphasizes the impact of household habits on individual, family, societal, and environmental well-being. Students learn to make informed decisions as consumers, considering health, finances, and the environment.

Key Areas of Study (Years 4-6):

• Food and Cooking: Students learn basic cooking methods, including baking, for various occasions. They practice planning, organizing, and evaluating their work. They learn to follow simple instructions and recipes, understand common cooking terms, and discuss sensory experiences related to taste, smell, consistency, and texture. Safe and functional use of kitchen tools and equipment is emphasized, along with hygiene and food safety practices.
• Personal Finance and Consumption: The curriculum introduces basic concepts of personal finance for young people, including the relationship between saving and spending, different payment and saving methods, and how to differentiate between factual consumer information and advertising. Students also learn to compare prices of common goods.
• Lifestyle Habits: Students learn the importance of a varied and balanced diet for well-being and how to distribute meals throughout the day. The social aspect of meals and different food traditions are explored. Resource management, recycling, and understanding various certifications and labels for food and other products are also covered. Basic cleaning routines and methods are introduced.

Grading Criteria (End of Year 6):

The grading criteria assess the student's ability to apply their knowledge and skills in practical situations. The criteria focus on the following aspects:

• Preparing simple meals and handling other practical tasks in a home environment using functional approaches.
• Understanding and explaining different saving and payment methods and factors influencing consumer choices.
• Evaluating the impact of household choices and actions on health, finances, and the environment.

Key Areas of Study (Years 7-9):

While the focus of this request is Year 4, the following information provides context and shows the progression of learning in Home Economics through the entire Mellanstadiet and into Högstadiet (years 7-9):

• Food and Cooking: Building upon the foundation from years 4-6, students in years 7-9 expand their cooking skills to cater to different needs and contexts. They learn about food properties and uses, plan and create their own meals, and refine their understanding of cooking terminology and techniques. Hygiene and food safety practices continue to be emphasized.
• Personal Finance and Consumption: Students delve deeper into personal finance, learning about budgeting, credit, subscriptions, loans, and savings. They develop a critical understanding of advertising and consumer rights and responsibilities, including warranties, complaints, returns, and the differences between in-store and online purchases.
• Lifestyle Habits: The curriculum explores the composition of balanced meals and adapting them to individual needs. Discussions about food traditions and the division of labor in the home from a gender equality perspective are included. Students learn about resource management, sustainable consumption, and the environmental impact of food production, transportation, and recycling. Cleaning and laundry routines are also covered.