This month at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Patrick, the toddlers in toddler 2 learned how to make a smoothie with our centre chef and special visitor, Seyi to conclude our cooking project in the toddler room. With all her ingredients, tools, and the toddlers gathered around, Seyi went through a step by step, asking the toddlers questions and giving the toddlers the opportunity to get hands on to help create their smoothie. As she began, Seyi held up and poured ingredients for the toddlers to see. As she did this she asked the toddlers “what do I have in my hands?” sparking the toddlers curiosity and senses as they watched and smelled the ingredients added into the smoothie’s container. Many were excited when Seyi held up bananas and berries reaching out to hold the ingredients. Zoey and Florence were given the opportunity to help Seyi with the bananas by helping cut the bananas into smaller pieces using a butter knife and cutting board, showing their coordination and fine motor skills. The toddlers helped Seyi measure the wet ingredients of milk and yogurt by helping with the measuring cups, as well as telling Seyi if more was needed when she asked “is this enough.” Once all the ingredients were added, Seyi took out her blender to help mix all the ingredients together. This step made some of the toddlers a little uneasy as they heard the loud noises that came from the machine, however they stood back and watched curiously from a distance to see what was happening to all the ingredients. At the end of making our smoothies, the toddlers were given the opportunity, if they wanted, to try the smoothie. Seyi’s visit brought excitement to the classroom as the toddlers learned more about what Seyi does in the kitchen, and had the opportunity to help out with cooking something of their own.