Our School Age children have been busy making Christmas presents for their parents. They made and decorated unique gingerbread houses with lots of care and affection. First, they started by mixing plaster of paris powder with water and then poured into silicone gingerbread moulds. As the children started this process there were a lot of questions and wonder about how plaster of paris powder will transform into a solid gingerbread house. With some confusion Aria and Olivia scooped the plaster of paris powder into a yogurt container then poured some water into it. As the children started to mix the ingredients, they realised that it was getting hard and not stirring properly. So, Olivia said, “I think we need some more water” The water was added and then the mixture was fluid enough to pour into the mould. Felix then helped to grease the moulds with some oil before the mixture was scooped into them. As he was doing this Olive commented, “Oh that is just like when you bake muffins you have to grease the pan so that your muffins don’t stick on it.” A few days later we unmould the gingerbread houses and the children were delighted to see the transformation from powder to solid.
The next stage was to sand and paint the gingerbread houses. During the sanding process they were able to develop their sense of touch by feeling the texture of the sandpaper and the smoothness of the gingerbread houses after they were sanded. The children were eager to paint and decorate their gingerbread houses. They were given an opportunity to choose the colours that they wanted their gingerbread houses to be. Some chose gold while other chose bronze or silver metallic paint. The children were able to feel a sense of belonging as they added their parents’ favourite colour of gems to decorate and add the finishing touches to their gingerbread houses.
Through out this activity they were able to work independently, take risk by using hot glue, make choices and develop oral communication skills by sharing past experiences that they had with their families and friends over the holidays. They were also able to enhance and foster relationships with their respected families.
