Our recent local planning focus in the Investigators' room on food and cooking has sparked a rich wave of curiosity, creativity, and connection among the children.
Through authentic, hands-on experiences, they explored food as more than just something to eat, it became a powerful way to understand culture, science, art, and community.
Cooking alongside teachers, parents, and whānau, the children discovered the joy and pride that comes from preparing kai together. They examined different cooking utensils, learned their functions, experimented with ingredients, and observed changes through heating, cooling, and mixing, developing fine motor coordination, early scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Exploring cultural foods opened opportunities for celebration and belonging. Families shared recipes and stories from home, introducing dishes such as dumplings and Indian sweets that became symbols of identity and togetherness.
These moments helped children recognise familiar smells, tastes, and family routines, deepening the connection between home and centre life. Culinary exploration extended into all curriculum areas, counting and sorting ingredients in mathematics, using expressive language to describe textures and flavours in literacy, painting their favourite foods in art, and constructing play kitchens in dramatic play.
These experiences wove together curiosity, creativity, and cultural identity, supporting holistic development and a strong sense of community. Through shared experiences with food, children developed confidence, collaboration and appreciation for others’ cultures.
Most importantly, their enhanced curiosity discovered that food connects people, places, and stories in meaningful, nourishing ways. He kai kei aku ringa – There is food at the end of my hands.
Their hands and hearts have truly been busy learning, creating, and thriving.