Mud Kitchen Collaboration
To develop cooperative play and social negotiation skills through shared outdoor cooking play.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Personal, Social & Emotional
- Learning area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Plays cooperatively in mud kitchen
- Negotiates roles
- Uses social language
- Shares resources
Materials
- Mud kitchen
- Pots, pans, spoons
- Natural ingredients
- Aprons
Instructions
FACILITATING SHARED PLAY: 'You could be the chef and Amara could be the washer-upper! What are you making today? A cake? What ingredients do you need?'
SUPPORTING NEGOTIATION: When disagreements arise: 'You both want the big pot. What could we do? Could you take turns? Could you cook together in it? Let's think of a solution.'
EXTENDING SOCIAL PLAY: Add new elements to extend cooperative play: 'The restaurant needs a waiter! Who will take the orders?' Additional roles reduce conflict and extend play.
MODELLING SOCIAL LANGUAGE: Use and teach social language: 'Please may I have some mud soup? Thank you, chef! It looks delicious! More salt, please!' Children copy these social phrases.