Cooperation

Cooperating in the kitchen

Fun with food

Take turns playing “head chef” and showing others how to cut out cookies.

Discussion point: Cooperating means being good at accepting another person’s ideas.

In this activity, children will practice following another person’s lead, and leading without being bossy. To prepare, you will need to mix up a batch of cookie dough (for cookie-cutter cookies) or bread dough. For a no-bake alternative, use playdough or modelling clay.

  • Choose one child to lead first and ask everyone else to cooperate by shaping the cookies or buns as the leader demonstrates. (Be sure to divide the dough into equal portions so that everyone gets a chance to be in the leadership role before the dough is used up.)
  • Take turns leading until everyone has had a chance to “teach” the others how to make cookie shapes.
  • This is an ideal time to let your children hear you saying, “Let’s do it your way now.” Also try to make comments similar to these: “We usually make round cookies or buns. What shapes do you think would taste good?” “I’ve never dreamed of a cookie that big!” Or, “You know, I always thought cookies were supposed to be round, but square ones look just fine too!”
  • After the cookies have been baked, sit down to enjoy them as a snack and take time to discuss how much fun it was to share design ideas with each other. Use the questions below in your discussion.
Questions for discussion
  • Which role did you enjoy more: being the leader or the follower?
  • How did you feel when someone told you to make cookies that seemed odd to you?
  • When you are playing with a friend and they keep insisting on doing things their way, how do you feel?
  • How do you think your friends feel when you are always telling them how to play a game?
  • How can you cooperate with others during playtime so they can enjoy playing at our house?
Relevant Scripture

Ephesians 5:21 “. . . submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Proverbs 16:21 “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness