Sandbox cooking!

We were happy for today's sunshine, as we didn't get much yesterday. We played outside until snack, then lined up to "take an airplane to Bento Cafe" (our made-up, pretend restaurant in tour classroon.) As we ate snack we reviewed the notes from yesterday's discussion about restaurants (particularly the menu items we came up with) and continued to talk about what we know about them (Arielle wrote down their ideas, as documentation is an important aspect of the Reggio approach.)

After snack Maya and Leina led circle time and then we got back into our "airplane" and flew to the playground, pretending it was a kitchen. We brought different types of uncooked pasta noodles and rice outside in bins, which our friends used to make all sorts of foods. They used the playground kitchen set to bake and prepare the foods, sifters to sift the rice from the pasta, bowls and pots to mix ingredients, empty bubble containers (used as seasoning and salt/pepper shakers,) trays to serve food on, etc. There was lots of rich dialogue taking place and many toddlers and pre-tots joined in the fun.

When it was time for lunch we decided to take a helicopter to Bento Cafe, which was now located in Chicago. During lunch we talked about foods that start with the letter Pp, which Arielle wrote down. Then we reviewed the letter Pp box .

We read a big book titled Growing Vegetable Soup before naptime and planned to read Green Eggs and Ham later.

After nap we continued our ongoing discussion about restaurants and food as we ate snack, then all of our friends had a blast during splash day! At the end of the day, during Arielle's cleaning period, Kinder Blossom help create a new restaurant-themed center near the kitchen center using tables, chairs, sheets for table cloths, a cash register, money, menus (our own and some from real restaurants,) a notepad and pencil for taking orders, an apron, etc.

We are so excited about this Reggio-style unit/project, which seems to have endless possibilities! Please feel free to donate/share any type of items restaurant/food-related  materials, such as costumes (aprons, chef hat, etc.,) play food, items used for cooking and baking (real or toys,) tablecloths, menus, chopsticks, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Tomorrow is costume day! Woo hoo!