Mrs. Grissom’s Preschool Chefs
The fall season is known for its beautiful colors, crisp air, pumpkins, and apples. St. Peter's preschool teachers took advantage of this season by engaging their students in an apple unit last week. Mrs. Grissom's preschool class took part in all kinds of apple-y activities. Throughout the week, the kids created apple art, learned about an apple tree's life cycle, and talked about the different parts of an apple - from the skin to the seeds. They also got to do a taste test with different apples like Ambrosia Gold, Envy, and Granny Smith. The class favorite was Envy!
All the activities culminated in the kids making apple turnovers, dubbed Apple Happiness, on Thursday, October 8. The kids could not wait to bake together! First, each student was allowed a turn at the apple peeler machine. They got to use their muscles to turn the handle to watch the apple being peeled, sliced, and cored. After preparing the apples, each student was given a crescent dough triangle, and they spread brown sugar on the dough. The kids were each given a few apple slices to put on their dough, and then they rolled it up and closed it. They took turns brushing the dough with melted butter and sprinkling cinnamon sugar on the turnover. The delicious concoctions baked while the preschoolers were resting. After rest time, the kids were so excited to sample their baked and cooled creations.
While the kids had fun - one student was overheard saying, "This is so cool, Mrs. Grissom!" - there was a lot of learning going on! Cooking in preschool stimulates children's thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It fosters language development by encouraging the children to talk about what they are doing, counting, and noting how materials change color and texture, which also teaches about cause and effect. It gives them a chance to follow directions and follow sequences. They are working on skills like taking turns, listening closely, and supporting and helping their classmates. And to think they worked on all of these things without even realizing it because they were having fun!
Baking together was a great way to cap off the apple unit for Mrs. Grissom's class and enjoy one of the wonderful things that fall offers. I'm sure there will be plenty of fun things in store during the pumpkin unit!
