Last year we started the weekly routine of Pizza Night Fridays in our house. It began more as a way for me to have one less meal-plan to think about, but it has evolved into a family activity that we all look forward to. Typically, we make the pizzas ourselves; but, there are certainly those weeks that my husband picks it up from our favorite local pizza house. In either case, pizza night is a perfect opportunity to slow down and create a language rich setting at home.
- Shopping for the items. Work with your child to create a list of the items that you’ll need for pizza night. Talk with your child about what toppings they would like to try, give them choices if they’re having trouble brainstorming on their own. Make your child their own checklist of the items (simple sketches for the pre-readers) that they can carry in the store or around the kitchen to collect the needed items. Even if you’re ordering out, your “shopping list” could be of items that will be needed to dine (plates, napkins, etc.)
- Make a plan. Use a whiteboard and dry-erase marker to work together to write out the steps of “How to build a pizza” (again, drawing simple pictures for the little ones works well). For make-your-own or pizza house, you could also make a plan for setting the table.
- Prep the toppings together. Allow your child to chop or open cans with your supervision. Talk about the size of the pieces you’ll need, and how difficult or easy it is to the use the can opener. Use sound and action words like, “chop, chop”, “twist”, “cut”, “turn” to narrate their actions. Encourage your child to sort through containers and bowls with you to find the right serving piece for each topping. Talk about sizes and quantities to help them make judgements (i.e. “We have A LOT of mushrooms, do we need a small bowl or a large bowl?”).
- Dough. If you use pizza-dough for the crust, create a sensory experience for your child by allowing them to smell and touch the dough. Encourage them to stretch, roll, poke, and smush it. Again, narrating their actions and having them state what they are doing to it. Play follow-the-leader and have them copy actions that you do with a piece of dough as well.
- Follow the plan. Have your child tell you the steps of how they will make their pizza. Allow them to be the “teacher” and tell you what steps to follow as you make your pizza.
- -- My favorite part -- Waiting for the pizza. Whether it’s in the oven or on it’s way over from the pizza house. Play a board game (Pictionary and Kerplunk have been our recent go-to’s). Play charades. Play Simon Says. Game fun can be continued after dinner too!
- Eat the pizza. Cut the pizzas and serve family style so that everyone can try everyone’s. Talk about which combinations you like (or don’t like) the best and why. Talk about what you may like to try next time for toppings.
- Follow it up with a book: Pete’s A Pizza by William Steig. This is a simple story but it lends itself nicely to being recreated for some seriously funny family-time. Follow the steps within the story and enjoy turning your OWN children into pizzas!
