‘New Year’ Cookies from Little Chefs
Students of the Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Children's University Beyaz Köşk Kindergarten experienced the joy of the New Year to the fullest by preparing fun and colorful cookies. Making cookies in various shapes special to the New Year theme, such as snowflakes, candy canes, snowmen, and Santa hats, the children enjoyed a day to their heart's content. Under the guidance of pastry instructor Chef Ece Eryener, the children worked with students from the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts to shape colorful sugar paste, decorate each other's cookies, and ask questions, finding an opportunity to learn while having fun.
‘THEY MADE SENSORY DISCOVERIES’
Kindergarten Principal Onur Kurtuluş Kara stated that the activity was very beneficial in terms of developing the children's self-confidence and motor skills. He said, “The event held at our kindergarten was a very valuable meeting where our little ones could use their imaginations freely, make sensory discoveries with colors and textures, and experience teamwork at the same time.”
‘PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS ARE DEVELOPING’
Kara continued as follows: “Coming together with the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts students provided our children with the opportunity to see role models, communicate, and collaborate. While these types of practices improve children’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities, they also reinforce the sense of taking responsibility and sharing. Most importantly, it shows how enjoyable learning can be.”
“IT WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE”
Instructor Chef Ece Eryener stated that they had an unforgettable experience with the children, saying, “Happiness and excitement were never missing from the children's faces throughout the event. While decorating their cookies with colorful sugar paste, they both developed their creativity and experienced the happiness of seeing their own creations. These positive experiences gained by children at a young age are very valuable for them to become individuals who are open to learning, curious, and able to express themselves in the future. We will continue to be together with the children in different activities throughout the year.”
