The fall is upon us and the toddlers have enjoyed our recent walks around the school.
During the walks they have noticed the apple tree on the school property. We have stopped numerous times to pick the apples from the tree with each child eating their own picked apple. The children love this and continue to look for the apples each time we walk by.
The Thanksgiving lunch, as well as our fall social, gave us the opportunity to use our apples in a different way. The apples were used to make the toddlers favourite treat, Apple Crisp.
Gerri took the skin off the apples and gave each child a small dull bread knife to cut their apple, and the children were all very excited at the independence of doing this on their own. Hand eye coordination was developed through not only cutting the apples but also helping us add and assemble the ingredients to our bowl. Measuring and counting were developed by talking about the amounts of items needed for this recipe, which helps build mathematical concepts. The children were also able to help measure and add each ingredient
By allowing the children the opportunity to be involved in the process, helps support their own creativity and imagination as they recreate the experience in our own dramatic play area.
Science concepts are developed by adding the ingredients together, mixing, and then baking everything together to create this desired treat.
This activity stimulates many of their senses such as taste touch and smell.
Measuring and number concepts are best developed through real life experiences.
The children have all loved this tasty treat with many asking for more. When children are involved in meal preparation they are more apt to try what they are eating. Try getting your child involved in cooking and meal preparation at home as well, perhaps you would like to try the apple crisp we made together.
The following is our Apple Crisp recipe:
6-8 Apples
2 TBSP white sugar
2Tbsp cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oats
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup melted butter
toss apples in sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon
place in 9-inch pan
mix butter, brown sugar and oats and the other Tbsp of cinnamon until it resembles coarse crumbs spread topping evenly over apples
bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
