In this study, interactions of children aged 2, 3, and 5 years were observed in snack time at their
childcare, to examine the enjoyment of snacks and the characteristics of their communication in co-eating.
Three types of snacks were provided on different days, and the 3 scenes were analyzed using a framework of
affordance. The ratios of snack-related utterances were higher, eating animal shape snacks and pancakes, than
usual snacks. Children’s conversation did not last in usual snack scene, because they talked about each topics
from each different thing’s affordance, however, the scene provided children’s freedom and sense of security. In
animal shape snack scene, children enjoyed active interactions from snack’s affordance; variety of shapes, snack
size, three-dimensionality, and the snack pictures on the package. In the pancake scene, children found out the
changes during cooking as affordances, and they behaved in interesting way. This study shows that children
creates abundant and enjoyable co-eating time by picking up various affordances of snacks and sharing their
interests to friends.
