Our multi-age classes are shorter than others, with less time for food prep, so the snacks have to be simple. (During smoothie week, we make it work!)
This day, the task was drying the blueberries–something that seems almost like a non-job, and something that you might not even make time for at home. (Haven’t we all prepped fruit in the two minutes before everyone eats, an afterthought?)
For the blueberry dryer, though, it’s important! Practically, supporting development:
- It’s preparation for reading with left-to-right work.
- It offers practice working from beginning through middle to end.
- It builds fine motor refinement to rotate the blueberries on the paper towel.
More than all of that, though, I’d offer this:
It’s being a real part of something significant for the whole community.
So, if you have an extra five minutes while you’re making dinner–to tear a paper towel in half, rinse blueberries together and place them to the left, place a serving bowl to the right, and demonstrate the drying–you are: showing that everyone’s contributions have value, building connection through a shared sense of purpose, and involving your child in the real life of your family.