Materials:

• bagels or rice cakes
• cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
• black olives (sliced)
• 1 small bell pepper
• 1 small cucumber (sliced)
• 2 carrots (sliced thin in rounds)
• plastic knives
• small bowls

Developing Skills:

• taking turns
• following directions
• measuring

ACTIVITY

Explain to children that they are going to make tasty faces together. Let them know that there is no right or wrong way to create the bagel or rice cake face. They will get to pick and choose what vegetables they would like to use.

Set out all the ingredients and needed tools where children can work safely. Wash and chop all the vegetables. Place them in small separate bowls. Divide the cream cheese onto small plates. Place all of the rice cakes and bagels on a large plate. Pass the plate around so that each child can choose what he or she would like.

Model how to spread the cream cheese-it can be difficult for little hands to manage. Show children how to start on one side and push down lightly as they spread it across the bagel or rice cake. Explain that the cream cheese is the glue that will hold their funny face features in place.

Invite children to create their masterpieces and enjoy when finished!

Remember: It is important to be patient with children this age and provide guidance in a warm and unhurried manner. Praise children for the work they are doing and let them make choices and decisions.

TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY

Send home a letter letting parents know that you are cooking in school. Explain that they can help their child develop a healthy relationship with food by encouraging him to try foods and giving him the opportunity to be a part of meal preparation. Let them know that their child can help with making the grocery list and setting the table. At the grocery store, children can help by finding the items on the list.

Curriculum Connection: LITERACY

There are many other no-cook recipes that can fit in with various themes. Try any of the following: Animal sandwich: Offer each child a slice of cheese and bread. Put animal cookie cutters out for children to use to cut out shapes in the cheese and bread. Spider Webs: Children can create a web using string cheese with raisins or cranberries as the spiders. Spiders: Place a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center of a small plate. Place pretzel sticks in the peanut butter for the legs. Orange starfish: Peel oranges and break into segments. Invite children to count out five pieces and arrange them in the shape of a starfish.