Chocolate is a special Easter treat. In today’s blog, I’m going to share an idea that uses chocolate as a fun, learning activity that encourages kindergarten readiness skills. And it gets kids to eat fruit!
Kids get to choose fruits to use: apples, bananas, strawberries, oranges, peaches, mango, etc. While the grown-ups need to peel and slice the firmer fruits, kids can wash the fruit and some can even slice the banana using a plastic picnic knife. Each kind of fruit can go into small bowls or plastic dishes. A fondue with melted chocolate can be hot for little ones and they often forget to use a different fork for dipping and eating, so instead, smooth, creamy chocolate pudding is substituted. Put the chocolate pudding in a small, unbreakable dish, one for each eater. Now, each child can put a piece of fruit on a fork, and dip it into his or her own pudding without sharing germs. Your fondue needs no heat.
And the readiness for kindergarten skills? Planning, following directions, fine muscle practice, making groups, comparing, lots of language interaction and conversation, co-operating, counting, and more. While working, kids may find some seeds and see how they are different shapes and sizes for some science learning. Add in a tremendous sense of accomplishment at being able to work and create with some sharing and working together. Learning never tasted so good!
activities. Word games of all kinds help with readiness for kindergarten.
Fuzzy chicks and bunnies, colored plastic eggs, and even jelly beans can be used. Grown-ups can show kids a pattern: bunny, egg; bunny, egg; bunny…and ask them to complete it. As children are able, patterns can get harder: bunny, chick, egg; bunny, chick…. Another sequence could be 1 bunny, 2 eggs, 1 bunny, 2 eggs, etc. There are many ways to have some pattern fun. As well as asking kids to finish a pattern, adults can leave a blank space and ask kids to fill it in. Or try an item that’s incorrect. Some children will be able to create their own patterns but this is harder than adding on. Easter eggs themselves often have patterns.