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Are hot muggy
days visiting your area before summer’s actual date has even shown up on
your calendar? If so, you might be wondering about activities that will
keep interest high and temperatures low? Don’t let the heat outdoors stop
you from cooking with your children. Cooking strengthens children’s skills
across the curriculum. When children cook, they learn about good nutrition
for their bodies. They develop skills in math, reading, and language arts.
Cooking gives children an opportunity to create, cooperate, and to feel a
sense of accomplishment. So go ahead and cook -- just make sure you keep
it cool!
Education
World's Early Childhood Education Newsletter, June 7, 2005
 ACTIVITY
IDEAS
 APRONS
FOR EVERYONE
Kick off your classroom-cooking unit by making simple aprons for all.
Fold the long side of a kitchen dishtowel about an inch over a piece of
cotton cording and stitch along the edge of the towel. Knot both ends of
the cotton cording. Tie an apron around each child’s waist and let the
cooking begin.
NOTE:
In the following recipes, encourage children to do as much of
the work as possible. Remember, it builds self-esteem and teaches cooking
skills. Be sure children wash their hands before handling food.
SUPER SANDWICH PEOPLE
This recipe will make lunchtime lots of fun…
Spread a slice of bread with peanut butter or cream cheese. Provide a
variety of food items for facial features. For example:
Eyes -- blueberries, cherry tomatoes, grape halves, or radish slices
Nose -- cucumber slices, carrot sticks, cheese squares
Mouth -- apple or orange slices
Hair -- lettuce leaves, bean sprouts, or celery leaves
Invite children to create funny food faces!
LUCKY LADYBUGS
Help each child place a tomato half on a leaf of lettuce. Provide
whole black olives for the ladybug’s head and olive halves for the
ladybug’s spots. When children have created their edible insects, add
favorite salad dressings and eat!
WOW WATERMELON!
These pops are sure to cool everyone down. In a blender mix 1-cup
seedless watermelon chunks (kids might help cut up watermelon with plastic
knives), 1 cup orange juice, and 1 cup water. Pour the mixture into small
paper cups and freeze partially. Then children can insert wooden craft
sticks or plastic spoons into the cups. Continue freezing. Run hot water
quickly over bottom of cups to remove pops for serving.
 CRUNCHY
CEREAL
Kids can concoct these nutritious parfaits: Provide each child with a
clear plastic cup.
Provide large spoons and bowls of vanilla yogurt, your favorite crunchy
cereal, and sliced strawberries or blueberries. Invite children to layer
the ingredients into their cups to create a pretty parfait.
SALAD THAT SINGS
Let children sing as they prepare this healthful salad:
Prepare and place out in bowls apple chunks, banana slices, melon balls,
blueberries, raspberries, and any other fruits you wish. Give each child a
paper cup. Encourage children to sing the song below as they place the
various fruits into their cups.
Sing the tune of “Ten Little Indians.”
“One little,
Two little,
Three little
Apple chunks.
Four little,
Five little,
Six little
Melon balls
Seven little,
Eight little,
Nine little
Banana slices.
Ten little
Blueberries!”
ON
THE WEB
Check out the following Web sites for more background and activities.
Cooking for the Classroom
You’ll find a listing of great sites including one for Art and
Cooking.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_sites/sites091.shtml
 Chilly
Orange Drink
This is one coooool drink!
http://www.weekiwis.com/orange.html
Dads and Kids Cookin’ Together
Filled with helpful tips on cooking tools, recipes, and family meals.
http://www.fathersworld.com/recipes/dadscookin/index.html
Kids’ Recipes
See some great ones -- from A to Z!
http://kid.allrecipes.com/az/
Recipe Collection for Kids
A great lineup of simple cooking fun -- just for young children.
http://www.inmotion-pcs.com/amass/theboss/recipe.htm
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