About

Overview

Counting Crackers with fresh apricots and a cottage cheese spread is a hands-on cooking activity that works well in small groups at tables. This activity helps children develop basic counting skills while preparing a healthy snack that features familiar ingredients like fruit and whole grains.

Learning Objectives

  • Children will explore the taste and texture of fresh apricots, cottage cheese, and whole-grain crackers in a fun and interactive way.
  • Children will develop basic food preparation and fine motor skills through spreading, assembling, and counting ingredients.

Teaching Objectives

  • Teachers will model healthy eating behavior by participating alongside the children.
  • Teachers will guide children in safe food handling and preparation practices.

Teaching Tips

  • Remember that the more times children are exposed to a new food, the more likely they are to develop a taste preference for that food.
  • Children are more likely to try a new food if an adult models the behavior!

Prep Info

equipment

Equipment Required

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Materials/Supplies

* Optional

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Before the Lesson

  • Wash and pit the apricots, then chop them into small, bite-sized pieces no larger than ½ inch.
  • Blend the cottage cheese in a mixing bowl or food processor until smooth and spreadable. Transfer to a bowl for easy serving.
  • Ensure all cooking tools, such as child-safe knives and spreaders, are ready for use.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

“But first, what is something great chefs always do before they start cooking?” (Answer: Wash their hands!)

Activity Description

  • Prepare the Ingredients:
    • Invite the children to help arrange the chopped apricots and smooth cottage cheeseon the table. Talk about what they see, smell, and feel—ask them to describe each ingredient's colors, shapes, and textures. What do they notice?
  • Assemble the Counting Crackers:
    • Give each child a small number of crackers on their plate. Demonstrate how to spread a little cottage cheese on each cracker gently. Then, invite them to count and add 1–3 pieces of apricot on top, depending on the cracker's size.
  • Count Together:
    • Practice counting out loud together! Ask questions like, "How many apricot pieces did you add?" Encourage them to share what they like most about their snack creations.
  • Serve, Taste, & Discuss:
    • Invite them to observe, smell, and feel the food. Let them decide whether to taste it and share their thoughts or personal connections.

Summary

Enrichment

Ask the children, “What other fruits can we use for our Counting Crackers? Could we use bananas, strawberries, or blueberries instead of apricots?”

Attention Teachers!

Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.

Weekly Log

Attention Teachers!

Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.