Preparing food at school is not just a daily
practice. It’s a valuable opportunity for children to be actively involved in
a process of meaningful learning, cooperation, and giving.
Children, if they wish, can participate in preparing the
meal in any way they can — peeling a potato or carrot,
cutting vegetables, or helping to gather ingredients. Through these
simple but important actions, the child strengthens his hand, exercises his
coordination and attention, develops fine motor skills and gains
confidence. At the same time, this process becomes an occasion for rich dialogue
and discussion — about food, ingredients, collaboration and the joy of
creating something together.
When the food reaches the table, the experience becomes even more valuable.
The phrase “This potato is the potato I cleaned and cut” is not
just a comment; it is a statement of participation, contribution and pride. The
child feels fulfilled, as he realizes that he has also put his
“little stone” in something that is meant for everyone.
The older children help the younger ones, learning to cooperate and to
take care of each other. This image is a micrograph of the society
we would all like to build: a community of mutual help, contribution
and collective joy.
I don’t peel a potato just to make my own food; I take my
time to peel as many as I can to offer to the
people around me. This act, however simple it may seem, is a profound
pedagogical experience.
Through such processes, the child begins to understand that he belongs to a
community, to see beyond his individual satisfaction and to recognize the
value of being “together” — of the common good, of cooperation and contribution.
Sandy Flamiatou