.png)
.jpg)
Thu, 04 Sep 2025
JIMBARAN - Laughter and chatter filled the classroom of Widiatmika Kindergarten on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. That day, the children took part in a Cooking Class, a thematic activity designed to train fine motor skills, introduce simple science concepts, and build independence from an early age.
According to Ni Nyoman Sawitri, S.Pd. AUD., teacher of Class B2 at Widiatmika Kindergarten, the Cooking Class gave the children a meaningful hands-on experience.
“They learned to recognize ingredients, mix and measure, and follow step-by-step processes. At the same time, they practiced teamwork and the importance of cleanliness. It was simple, but both fun and educational,” she explained.
Eighteen children were divided into small groups of four to five. Under the guidance of their teachers, they joined every stage of the cooking: washing vegetables, cutting meat, stirring eggs, pouring ingredients into a pan, and frying them until done. The frying session brought the most excitement — some were hesitant, afraid of the heat, while others confidently stirred the pan on their own.
“The dishes may not have been perfect, but that’s what made them special. Sometimes a child added too much salt, but it made the results varied and interesting,” Sawitri said with a smile.
The joy was even greater when the children tasted their own creations.
“Many of them finished everything on their plates, and some even asked for a third helping,” she added.
The Cooking Class was not about grades or assessment. What mattered was that the children learned to follow simple instructions, work together, keep things tidy, and be brave enough to try. Sawitri emphasized that such activities nurture essential aspects of early childhood development.
“The most important thing is that they felt happy and proud of what they made themselves. That is already an important part of learning in Kindergarten,” she concluded.
___
