Last Friday, a group of 5-year-olds proudly served sandwiches they had made themselves. Their joy reminded us of one truth: Children don’t just listen—they copy.
In our Early Years programme , we’ve embraced one simple truth:
✨ Children don’t just listen to us. They watch us. They follow us.
✨ They do what we do—not just what we say.
This simple truth has become the heartbeat of one of our most loved weekly rituals—Foodie Friday!
What Is Foodie Friday?
Every Friday, our classrooms come alive with the sounds, smells, and smiles of tiny chefs in action. Under warm guidance and within a safe, hygienic setup, our learners take charge of real-world kitchen tasks:
Squeeze lemons to make tangy lemonade
Spread and layer their own sandwiches
Toss together colorful fruit salads
Mix poha gently with eager hands
With child-safe tools and mindful hygiene practices, they learn not only to prepare—but also to clean up responsibly. Through this, they begin to understand care, order, and pride in their space.
“I made it for my mama!” – Arjun, age 5
More Than Just Cooking
Foodie Friday is about more than recipes. It’s about building skills, confidence, and community.
🌟 Motor Skills Development
Children peel, grate, stir, and cut—strengthening fine motor coordination through joyful, meaningful action.
🌟 Language Learning
“Can I stir?” “It smells sweet!” “Let’s cut more!”
Vocabulary blossoms through real-time, purposeful communication.
🌟 Social-Emotional Growth
Children collaborate, share, take turns, and cheer each other on—learning empathy and celebrating together.
🌟 Healthy Eating Habits
When they make it, they try it! Curiosity becomes courage as they taste fresh, wholesome food with pride.
Over the weeks, we see children transition from hesitant helpers to confident kitchen creators—taking pride in their independence.
They Imitate Us—So Let’s Be Worth Imitating
We weave EPL or Exercises of Practical Life into our curriculum. We give children real tools, real responsibility, and a real sense of agency.
When we model with care, presence, and joy, they reflect the same. And in this mirror, we see what truly matters.
What We Learn from Them
Every Foodie Friday reminds us:
Children learn best by doing, not just watching.
They thrive when they feel capable.
They teach us as much as we teach them.
“My child now asks to help in the kitchen every Friday evening!” – A KG1 student’s parent
“Now weekends are fun—my daughter insists on making sandwiches for all of us!” – A KG2 student’s parent
Connecting with Our Curriculum & Community
Foodie Fridays are more than a fun activity—they’re deeply aligned with the PYP’s emphasis on learner agency, inquiry, and real-world learning. Children explore math (measuring, counting), language (new words), science (textures, changes), and social skills—all in one joyful, authentic context.
We also encourage sustainable habits—using local produce, minimizing waste, and nurturing respect for food and nature.
In the Early Years…
We don’t just teach with words—we teach by example.
And our little ones?
They’re always watching…
…always learning…
…and always ready to do what we do.
We encourage families to continue this joy at home—because every small act in the kitchen is a big step toward independence and connection.
Blog By-
Ms. Priya Dharshini N
TIPS IB Erode ,Early Years Facilitator
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