1. Tropical taste.
Adult-led
Explore the taste and smell of fruit.
Planned learning intentions.
To talk about key characters and events in a story. To use the senses of taste and smell to investigate fruits, and to express likes and dislikes.
Adult:child ratio: 1:6.
Resources
Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne (Walker Books, 4.99); a basket containing fruits from the story; knife; chopping board; copies of the 'like/dislike' chart (see back of poster); pen/pencil.
Activity content
* Gather the children together in a comfortable and quiet area and share with them the story of Handa's Surprise. Look closely at the illustrations and talk about the different fruits by name, as you match them to the real fruits in your basket.
* Give children the opportunity to handle the fruits and to comment on their observations. Discuss features such as colour, shape, size and surface texture. Encourage them to use the correct names for the fruits.
* Cut up one fruit at a time and encourage the children to smell and taste each fruit in turn. Use words such as 'sweet', 'sour', and 'sharp' when talking about tastes. Give children time to discuss their likes and dislikes with friends.
* Select one of the fruits and encourage children to record whether or not they liked the taste of that fruit, by making their own identifying marks in either the 'yes' or the 'no' column. Discuss whether more children liked or disliked the fruit.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience will show interest in the book illustrations and listen to the story for a brief period. They will probably be keen to engage in the tasting activity and explore the fruits through sight, touch, taste and smell. They may express likes and dislikes through facial expressions, sounds or gestures.
* Children with some experience will talk about the illustrations and make comments as they listen to the story. They will respond to questions about the fruits, commenting on features and expressing their preferences in simple terms.
* Children with more experience will listen attentively to the story asking questions and making predictions. They will talk in more detail about the features of different fruits and make comparisons. They may offer reasons for their preferences.
Extension ideas
* Provide paper and mark-making equipment and encourage children to make observational drawings of the different fruits.
* Prepare a fruit salad using 'Handa's fruits' and ask children to try to identify familiar tastes.
* Give children opportunities to taste a range of other foods.
* Revisit the story of Handa's Surprise. Ask children to compare features of Handa's world with their own. Draw their attention to Handa's basket and the animals.
2. Dish of the day.
CHILD-INITIATED
Organise a cafe role-play area.
Resources
* Blank menu sheets, (photocopied A4 sheet with a simple drawing of food and 'The Nursery Cafe' written at the top, and the headings 'breakfast', 'lunch' and 'tea' or 'dinner' written at intervals down the page); A4 plastic laminating pouches.
* Add the following to the role-play area: small tables, chairs, kitchen furniture and cooking equipment, play food, cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, saucers, aprons, table cloths, plastic trays, serviettes, plastic salt and pepper sets, unbreakable vases containing real or imitation flowers (for each table), open/closed sign, chalk board (for 'dishes of the day'), order pads, bill pads, pens, telephone, diary, till, money.
* Ask local cafes and restaurants to donate a copy of their menu.
* Provide food magazines.
Play suggestions
* Supply each child with a blank menu sheet to take home. Ask parents to talk with their children about the food that they like and to complete the menu by adding their favourite meals. As these are returned, laminate them for use in the cafe.
* Encourage the children to cut pictures of food from the magazines and make menu posters and design recipe cards with them.
* Encourage them to play in the cafe area, taking the role of customer, waiter or chef. Play alongside them, modelling skills such as taking telephone bookings, writing down orders, reading menus and ordering food.
Ask questions that encourage children to talk about their favourite foods and meals.
Possible learning outcomes
* Observes others.
* Uses equipment randomly and for own purposes.
* Engages in co-operative/collaborative play with others.
* Refers to previous experience.
* Recreates own experiences through role-play.
* Explores a variety of roles within the cafe environment.
* Uses talk to organise ideas.
* Expresses preferences.
* Understands that writing conveys meaning.
* Uses mark-making equipment purposefully.
* Attempts to read back own marks.
3. Sense of smell.
CHILD-INITIATED
Sharpen children's sense of smell by introducing different aromas into the nursery environment.
Play suggestions
* Add a few drops of peppermint or vanilla essence to the water in the water tray and to the dough.
* Allow children to explore 'smelly' foods, such as garlic.
* Play 'guess the smell' games, where children attempt to identify smells such as curry powder, mint or orange juice.
* Put dried lavender in one of the cushions in the book or home corner.
* Provide an unbreakable vase on the table in the milk area and display fresh flowers with a distinctive smell, like sweet peas or freesias.
* In your outdoor area, plant shrubs and flowers with a strong smell, such as honeysuckle, lavender and roses.
* Create a herb garden. Tubs and troughs can be used effectively where space is at a premium and some herbs will live happily in pots inside.
* Encourage children to be aware of different smells during cooking and baking activities.
Possible learning outcomes
* Shows curiosity and interest in new smells experienced.
* Responds to smells by facial expressions and movements.
* Comments on smells in the nursery environment.
* Attempts to identify smells, referring to previous experiences.
* Talks about likes and dislikes of smells.
* Learns to use sense of smell.
