As part of their topic on food, the children spent a week enjoying activities and experiences linked to vegetables. The most popular activity was creating models out of old potatoes that were unfit for eating. The children were encouraged to do this as independently as possible, but a keyworker supported the activity.
A selection of old potatoes was provided and children were encouraged to explore a range of materials freely in order to decide for themselves what they might need. The most common resources chosen were wool and string for hair, small sticks for limbs and split pins for eyes. Some children asked for additional materials, such as pasta, plastic shapes and shiny pipe cleaners.
Once the models were completed, the children were encouraged to create their own display. They draped a piece of fabric over a table and asked for support in writing name labels to stand alongside. The finished display attracted lots of attention and amusement from children and adults.
It was satisfying for staff to observe how this stimulating child-initiated activity clearly promoted all six areas of learning.
Personal, social and emotional development
The children displayed great pride in their achievements and respect for the creations of others.
Communication, language and literacy
Animated discussions took place about resources the children would be using, and name labels were often referred to as children identified the creators of the models.
Mathematical development
Mathematical language was used, for example, as children talked about where to position features or how long to make hair. Models were counted, as well as individual features such as eyes and noses.
Knowledge and understanding of the world
The children discovered more about how potatoes look, smell and feel, and considered appropriate resources as they created their models.
Physical development
The activity promoted fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination, for example, as children picked up tiny sticks and pushed them into the potatoes.
Creative development
The children chose their own materials and used their imaginations to make highly individual three-dimensional models.
Allison Clark is the feacher in charge at Akrotiri Pre-school, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. She sent this idea to Jean Evans
