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Preparing our Morning Kai
This month, our tamariki have been really focused on helping their friends and playing their part in our community here at Johnsonville Montessori.
Every morning, we offer the opportunity for tamariki to prepare the morning tea items for their class. We offer peeling and chopping carrots, grating cheese, peeling mandarins, juicing an orange and coring and slicing up apples or pears. Our tamariki adore our Food Preparation mahi. This is where they are able to select a tray with an item of food on it, prepare the food for Morning Tea, and place it on our kai table for the classroom community to enjoy!
A huge part of this mahi, is not only preparing the food, but also cleaning up after oneself; washing their dishes, wiping the table and often sweeping the floors. Children observe their hoa (friends) many times doing different food preparation and washing their dishes, and are very excited to do the same when it is their turn! Food preparation is a wonderful way for children to develop kitchen skills, whilst solidifying their relationships with their friends.
Food Preparation helps strengthen arm and hand muscles as they are peeling, chopping, grating and juicing different foods. It also encourages children to explore a variety of flavours and foods!