Prepare a Menu

LESSON 5

Children actively engage in the planning process for a special feast, contributing to the creation of a menu and assisting in the selection of ingredients at the store. 

  • Recipe book

  • Paper

  • Pencil

    Optional:

  • Reusable shopping bags

Materials

  • Gather materials

  • Plan a visit to the market or grocery store

Preparations

  • Encourage and support children in expressing their creativity and opinions during the menu planning, fostering their sense of agency and participation in shaping traditions.

  • Teach children practical life skills related to meal planning, such as decision-making, list organization, and teamwork, helping them develop valuable life skills.

  • Assign tasks and responsibilities for meal preparation, considering children's age and capabilities, promoting cooperation and teamwork.

  • Lead the shopping trip, involving children in selecting ingredients and teaching them about different foods.

  • Foster an appreciation for the cultural and personal significance of dishes in the context of a celebration, conveying the importance of food in creating meaningful traditions.

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children express their creativity and ideas as they contribute to menu planning, developing a sense of ownership and involvement.

  • Children gain an understanding of the practical aspects of planning a meal, including deciding on dishes and organizing a shopping list, enhancing their life skills.

  • Children learn about the value of teamwork and cooperation by discussing the division of responsibilities for meal preparation.

  • Children engage in a hands-on learning experience during the shopping trip, assisting in the selection of ingredients and fostering their knowledge of food and cooking.

  • Children gain an appreciation for the cultural and personal significance of dishes in a celebration, understanding that food is an integral part of creating meaningful traditions.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

  • Practice saying the poem with the actions you came up with.

Daily Thanksgiving

For the golden corn,

For the apples on the trees,

For the golden butter,

For the honey from the bees,

For the fruits and nuts and berries

That grow along the way

For the birds and bees and flowers,

We give thanks every day!

Activity Flow

1. Explain to the children that today's activity involves planning the menu for the special feast. Emphasize that it's a collaborative effort, and they will have a say in what dishes will be part of the celebration.

2. Sit down with the children and discuss the types of dishes they would like to have at the feast. Encourage them to share their ideas and preferences. The menu can include appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Together, create a list of dishes that you can prepare based on your current capacity and resources. Ensure the menu reflects a balance between their preferences and what is manageable. Adapt the menu according to your family's preferences and the age of the children. The goal is to create a memorable and meaningful celebration together.

3. Discuss the responsibilities for preparing each dish. Assign tasks to children according to their age and abilities. This will make them feel even more involved in the preparations.

4. After finalizing the menu, head to your local store or market to gather the necessary ingredients. Children can participate by helping to find and select items on the list.

5. During or after the shopping trip, have a conversation with the children about their choices for the menu. Ask them what they are looking forward to most and why they made those selections. Discuss how planning and preparing a meal can be a special and meaningful part of a celebration.