I’ve always been fascinated by the dishes that regions around the world serve. Food has such a way of bringing people together, and the presentation is a wonderful way of displaying traditions or symbols. Sushi being mostly associated with the Japanese culture is a beautiful example of this.
I believe it’s important for children to be exposed to a variety of foods at a young age. It’s also crucial that children of all cultures be represented in play. Imagine the learning children can experience having their cultural dishes with other children. What a great way to share!
I created this kit so that children could learn about foods around the world. This isn’t just a culture and nutrition activity though…children also gain motor skill development while learning to use chopsticks. As a parent or educator, get involved in the play, and talk to your children about your own traditional dishes.
This kit took about an hour to create. The rolls were created with felt and a glue gun. The dishes I already had on hand, along with the chopsticks. A simple menu was designed, and I added an empty bottle of soya sauce.
Did you know that whenever it’s possible, let children use real items instead of toys. It’s recommended that as long as they are safe and the children are supervised, trusting them with these items teaches responsibility. Children feel trusted and capable. This builds their self-esteem and self confidence.
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