Weekend Wonder: Apple Cutting

It’s apple-picking season.

And it’s time to put those apples to good use with some meaningful work.

We learn through layers of engagement. This is an important principle to keep in mind as you support your child.

When we keep revisiting something, interacting with it in different ways, we build knowledge and understanding.

You visit an apple orchard or pick some up at the market.

You can name the apples, to enrich your child’s vocabulary - golden delicious, Mutsu, honey crisp.

You can have an apple tasting, and discern the different tastes and textures together.

And you can invite your child to chop the apples. These can be eaten by your child or family as a snack, or cooked to make baked apples or applesauce.

You will need:

• A non-slip cutting board or mat

• A hand-held, child-sized wavy chopper

• An apple, cut in half by an adult

• A bowl for seeds, stem, bruised pieces

• A bowl for chopped apple slices

You will want to show your child how to use the chopper carefully, and be especially attentive to hand placement.

This is a wonderful activity for your child to use while standing, either at a child-size table or counter space with a learning tower.

And you’ll want to repeat this often. It is easy to set up and invites repetition.

You’ll find your child is absorbed in purposeful activity and takes pride in contribution.

Try half of an hour of apple cutting instead of 30 minutes with a show or an app.

Your child will come away from the experience more centered and fulfilled.

All the while, they will be strengthening the muscles of their hands and arms (and core, if standing!) and having a natural, constructive sensory experience.

Enjoy!