Swedish Mellanstadiet (Grade 4) Home Economics Syllabus

Home Economics (Hem- och konsumentkunskap)

Life at home and with family is of central importance for everyone. Our habits at home affect the well-being of individuals and families, as well as society and nature. Knowledge of consumer issues and household work provides important tools for creating a functional everyday life and promoting sustainable development by making informed choices as consumers with consideration for health, finances, and the environment.

Purpose

The purpose of Home Economics is to help pupils develop knowledge about and interest in household work, finances, and consumer choices. Through a process combining thinking, sensory experiences, and practical action, pupils develop their understanding of food and meals. The teaching should help pupils develop initiative and creativity in cooking, meal preparation, and other household tasks.

Pupils learn about the consequences of household choices for health, well-being, and shared resources. They develop knowledge about consumer rights and conditions, including payments, saving, credit, and loans. This knowledge helps pupils make informed choices regarding personal finances and handle various problems and situations they may face as young consumers.

The teaching also covers norms, gender equality, and the division of labor in the home. Pupils learn about cultural variations and traditions in different households.

Core Content (Years 1-6)

Food and Cooking

• Cooking for different occasions.
• Simple cooking methods, including baking. Planning, organizing, and evaluating the work.
• Simple instructions and recipes. How to read and follow them, and common cooking terms.
• Discussions about experiences of taste, smell, consistency, and texture related to cooking.
• Tools and technical equipment used in cooking, and how to use them functionally and safely.
• Hygiene and food safety in handling, preparing, and storing food.

Personal Finances and Consumption

• Young people's personal finances. The relationship between saving and consumption. Different ways to pay and save.
• The difference between factual consumer information and other influences on consumer choices. Advertising in different forms, including hidden advertising messages.
• Comparing some common products based on comparative price.

Lifestyle

• The importance of a varied and balanced diet for well-being. How to distribute meals throughout the day.
• The importance of meals for a sense of community. Different food traditions.
• Resource management of food and other consumer goods in the home. Recycling at home and in the local area, and how it works.
• Some different certifications and labels for food and other products, and their significance.
• Routines and methods for cleaning.