This week our Yellow Butterflies began exploring their new topic of interest ‘Cooking’. To begin their learning journey the Butterflies observed images of foods from around the world (1/8). The Butterflies were asked to share their thoughts and ideas about their favourite foods to their educator and about different foods from around the world that they could see in the images.
Through free play drawing activities children were encouraged to join an activity where they could draw their own ideas of food including pasta, noodles, dumplings, and many other foods (1/8). This small group experience allowed the preschoolers the opportunity to discuss in small groups about their favourite foods but also what foods they were drawing on their paper.
The Butterflies used visual resources of different utensils we can use when we are engaging in cooking experiences (2/8). Furthermore, the butterflies explored foods through a creative arts collage activity (2/8) where they explored different images of food. Children cut out the pictures of food they wanted to cut and paste on a large red paper.
This week the children learnt about the pancake recipe as they identified these as some of their favourite foods (3/8). Using visual cards of the recipe educator discussed how to make pancakes and the ingredients needed. The Butterflies also explored pancakes through a creative arts experience making a pancake face on a printed pancake dough with its ingredients.
To conclude a wonderful week of learning about cooking the yellow butterflies made their very own pizza in a craft experience where they placed images of pizza toppings onto their printed pizza (5/8).
What the Yellow Butterflies have learnt this week:
* Through cooking experiences and learning about foods of different cultures assists children to become adventurous eaters and identify different foods.
* Learning about foods teaches children about health and healthy eating.
* Discussing foods provides children the opportunity to explore early concepts of math's and science as they learn instructions, problem solving and developing their creativity.
* Cooking experiences provide children with the opportunity to develop their communication skills by sharing how they can make foods and have meaningful and intentional discussions with children about food and the cooking process.
* Through exploring cooking the butterflies are also extending their mathematical skills by exploring measurements and combining ingredients as part of their cooking experience.
Next week (week beginning 8th August) the Yellow Butterflies will continue:
* Continue learning about other foods and their recipes including scones, pizza, capsicum salad.
* Discuss with children about safe practices when we are cooking.
* Incorporating Aboriginal food education into the program and exploring healthy foods through the Healthy Jarjums program and exploring the poster ‘When my family eats’.
Links to Early Years learning Framework:
3.2 - Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing
4.2 - Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
5.1 - Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
5.5 - Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking
Links to National Quality Standards:
1.1.2 - Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program.
2.1.3 - Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted and appropriate for each child.
3.2.2 - Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.
Further readings and links for families:
Article: 16 Benefits of cooking in Early Childhood
25 Preschool Cooking Ideas
21 Fun and Easy Cooking Activities for Kids
Easy Pancake Recipe
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