Process Cooking...fun filled learning!

'A little bit like a crazy chef'

Last year we undertook a project around offering children opportunities to be involved in a wide range of process cooking experiences.  The title of our book came about through conversation with Liam while looking at photos of cooking experiences with him.  He stated "I'm a little bit like a crazy chef ah?!" and of course this just had to be the title of our book!  Our cover art is  from Emily who said her artwork was her Dad because "he's a crazy chef!"

After a number of hurdles to get our finished book printed, we were excited to host a cookbook launch and coffee morning for parents to view the results of our year long project last Friday.  Children were excited to see themselves in print too!

The allure of mixing, measuring, experimenting, creating and tasting food is too much for children to resist.  Cooking together is a bonding experience where memories are made...a joy for the senses where sights, smells and taste spark the memory for years to come. 

The learning undertaken throughout the year was immense and we've put together a short slideshow with just a snippet for you to enjoy...

Gardening guru

When you generate excitement look what happens

Nature and butterflies

We were very fortunate and very excited to be able to watch a Monarch butterfly emerge from our chrysalis today.  

We had watched the chrysalis change colour from green to black over a period of days, the children wondered when it would open?

You have to be quick...or you'll miss it!
As the butterfly emerges, it's wings are all crumpled.

The butterfly stretched out it's wings to dry and harden until it could fly away. 

The children were fascinated to watch this beautiful process.

This was an opportunity for the tamariki to have an active engagement in nature and science.

Children develop an understanding as they investigate and interact with real objects and nature.

Children seek answers to their questions, they observe, collect ideas and knowledge, coming up with conclusions as they relate new information to prior knowledge and personal experiences.

Pebble Pit Review

Natural materials are open ended and engage the senses...the pebble pit has become a place of magic where children's imaginations soar!

 
Pebble Pit

Pebble pit review

Cookbook launch

Thank you to all the fantastic whanau who came and supported the cookbook coffee morning today.

We hope you are as happy with the cookbook as we are.

Seeds for the garden on PhotoPeach