Future Performance Training
Once you have planned the activity and have talked
it through with your placement supervisor, the next
step is to implement it. For cooking activities, you
should first think about a risk assessment, which
might include dangers associated with any cooking
utensils or equipment, as well as hygiene steps that
will need to be taken. It is also important to think
carefully about the timing of activities as tired or
overexcited children may not benefit from or enjoy
the activities. During all activities, it is important
to monitor children’s reactions and to think about
whether the activity is working. Table 1.1.5 shows
some of the points to consider when implementing
the activities that we looked at earlier.
| Outing to a shop to buy fruit and vegetables | Talk to the children about the fruit and vegetables that they can see. Take time to see which fruit and vegetables children already know. With the children, choose some fruit and vegetables to buy and encourage them to try out new ones. Afterwards, with the children, wash, prepare and, if needed, cook the fruit and vegetables. |
|---|---|
| Visit to a local farm or allotment | Talk to children beforehand to find out what they already know about farms and/or the growing of food. Use this information to help you work out what points to draw children’s attention to when you visit the farm or allotment. Take plenty of photographs so that afterwards children will be able to talk about food and farming. |
| Planting fruit and vegetables | Look out for some seeds or plants that will grow well and preferably quickly. Check that they are suitable for your setting. Make sure that the soil is properly prepared or, if you intend to use containers, that they drain well and are sufficiently large. Make sure that each child has their own plant or seeds but always plant some extra. Encourage children afterwards to take care of them by watering them. Encourage children to eat ‘their produce’ |
| Cooking activities | Check that none of the children has a food allergy, intolerance or other dietary requirement that will prevent them from joining in. Show children how to wash their hands and put on aprons, and make sure that you role model this. For cooking activities to be successful, work in pairs or very small groups with children. Keep children active by making sure that they all have something to do most of the time. Talk to children about what they are doing and about healthy food. |
| Making a fruit smoothie | |
| Cutting up or mashing bananas and mixing with natural yoghurt | |
| Making a vegetable pizza | |
| Creating a salad | |
| Making bread | |
| Cooking simple dishes, e.g. baked potato, boiled eggs and toast |