Reception Class has been embracing new experiences this half term as part of their food topic, daring to explore the flavours, traditions, and creativity inspired by Chinese New Year.
Their journey began with an exciting cookery lesson at Cookery Doodle Doo in Laverstoke, where they took on the challenge of making a delicious noodle dish. Along the way, they discovered the symbolic meanings of colours in Chinese culture – red for happiness, green for good health, and yellow for power and royalty – as well as the significance of the lucky number six. To start, they identified six colourful ingredients for their dish.
Practising their fine motor skills, the children carefully cut vegetables using the teeth of a knife to slice through gently. They then bravely sampled four different sauces – plum, hoisin, sweet chilli, and teriyaki – dipping pieces of popcorn to explore new flavours before selecting their favourite to add to their dish. A splash of soy sauce and rice vinegar, followed by a generous mix of rice noodles, completed their meal, garnished with black and white sesame seeds.
Back at school, inspired by their cookery experience, the children got creative with noodle artwork. After painting string yellow to resemble noodles, they carefully selected and cut out ingredients for their dish before independently writing the names, sounding out the words with brilliant effort.
The celebrations continued with a special dance session led by Mrs Kerrison, where the children explored movement and tempo using Chinese music and scarves. Flowing motions and rhythmic beats made for an energetic and engaging session enjoyed by all.
This immersive learning experience was a fantastic way for Reception Class to step out of their comfort zone, try new foods, and embrace different cultures!
