Developing young minds

Gone are the days that parents push their children into extra-curricular activities that solely aim to build their physical endurance and intelligence. The mundane swimming, football, and music lessons have now been replaced with activities that offer a wider array of development and instant gratification.

Amongst the list of activites providing creative lessons for kids is Foodhall Cookery Studio that organises cooking classes for children between five and 18 years of age, encouraging them to get behind the kitchen deck. Started with the idea of making the young minds understand the origins of the foods they eat, these classes have helped them value the plate of food. “They are used to eating what is cooked by their parents or ordered at restaurants. They are not aware of what that particular food is made of. About pasta, all they know is the packaged ones in supermarkets. We connect them to the produce and how it is made. We make them make their own pasta dough. Similarly, we tell them that the red sauce is made from the humble tomatoes,” explains Manpreet Dhody, Head, Foodhall Cookery Studio.

Though she expected the children to find it boring, she was pleasantly surprised by their excitement and knowledge. “I see an increasing interest in cooking. They know what a pinata cake is, which I didn’t. They are aware of what is gluten-free, what contains lactose and what is vegan,” smile the 29-year-old.

Following the philosophy that children can be moulded at a very young age, the cooking studio also encourages them to consume vegetables with zero waste. “We tell them how to make compost or chips out of it. It is very important for them to respect the food, and cooking things themselves especially pushes them in the right direction,” adds Dhody, who is hosting pizza and cake baking classes for children today.

Thrilled with their hard work and output, she reveals that the children either finish the food they make or take it home. Adding that the entire activity becomes easy with parents involvement. “Parents are easy and very supportive of these classes. We have even had classes with three-and-half-year-olds, with parents enjoying every bit of it,” the studio head says.

Another unorthodox activity that aims to channel a child’s hyperactivity into creativity is Little Readers’ Nook, comprising not just reading stories as well as intercommunicationactivities. Held once a week for kids aged between four and eight, founder Devaki Bhujang Gajare explains that the idea is to have drama, games, and conversations around them.

“We believe that a story mirrors life and its challenges. We extract the essence of the story and teach them a little bit about life. That is usually the arc of many children’s stories; the characters face a problem and they deal with it,” says Gajare who takes up to 10 children per class.

Focused on building a child’s social-emotional skills, they work in groups to instil empathy. “It teaches them how to solve problems in a collaborative way, how to be emotionally strong, and believe in themselves,” shares the 37-year-old.

Though a challenge explaining parents the curriculum, but once explained they come around easily. “This is not something they know about. But I have had feedback saying that their child has become confident and emotionally stronger. Many have even mentioned how their child has become more empathetic and has a better understanding of the family,” smiles Gajare. For Children’s Day, the founder will be narrating two folk tales — Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky and Three for Free — at Parle Tilak School.

While many opt for cooking and reading for their kids’ mental development, others get their hands dirty with pottery. Priya Patil, who holds workshops for children aged as little as four-years-old, opines that pottery is most loved since kids love getting their hands dirty.

“The medium is so tactile and new to the kid, that 90 percent of the time they want to get their hands dirty. They come and learn the techniques of forming and coiling,” the teacher explains.

She adds that even the parents are getting comfortable with the idea of letting the children be at ease with the clay.

“They want to get into such activities. They know the importance of getting their hands dirty, as it helps the brain develop creative function. Even schools hold pottery classes and have always seen improvement in the students,” she concludes.