Lesson #1, Special Education Now, Part 2

Yeast Dough, The 'Special' Child's Key to the Kingdom. 
 

The use of scientific terminology becomes an everyday event in the world of yeast dough. It must. The brain must be stretched beyond its present capacity. The excitement begins anew. The periodic table will be mentioned . It is about symbols and new scientific terms. Introducing unfamiliar words such as these becomes familiar, eventually, with the child and fun also. The mind of a special child cannot and must NOT be wasted. It is a precious commodity. Time wasted can never be retrieved for any of us. It is especially true for the learning disabled.The use of crosswords puzzles and poems generates excitement in the study of yeast dough, making it and creating its  'yummy' masterpieces afterward.

In this first lesson, many questions will be and must be asked. It forces 'quiet' children, made idle in their thinking by others, over the years, perhaps, to begin the process of speaking and interpreting the event. Scientists spend their whole waking lives thinking and asking questions of themselves and others to solve world problems and invent new thinking. Yeast dough is such an enterprise and much more, an exciting beginning for the most vulnerable among us.

Every child's thinking must be 'heard'! It's a must when working with yeast dough. Being a special learner is a unexpected learning path with formidable learning challenges ahead. Focus and language are top on the list. Yeast dough is like no other activity. It is safe, inexpensive, a training ground for a future life of success. Th child's altered landscape has been brought on by circumstances beyond his control:- prematurity, neglect, poverty, poor self-esteem, to name a few. Yeast dough is cognitive daily fun. The hand /mind connection feature prominently with yeast dough.

Find bread /baking books with pictures depicting ingredients found in pizza, bread, pretzels, rolls. These are commonplace foods found in everyday life, foods that each child will make one day, on their own, for family dining pleasure. Interest is generated in this manner. “You will do it. We will show you how.”

Making yeast dough is time compatible as dough can refrigerated or frozen till ready to use. More later...Keeping detailed notes of each session, with duties and names recorded, demonstrates to child the importance of reading and writing. Interest in letters will follow as each child realizes their importance in crafting the products made from dough.

Repeating the same recipe gives comfort to each child as many products can be made from one plan. With experience and courage, new recipes can be used as experience grows with each child. The most challenging of all – danish, croissant and strudel – can be introduced as they depend upon complex techniques that will be mastered easily once the Momsey knows how!

An adult helps establish the learning parameters for the child and keeps certain steps safe such a deep fat frying (doughnuts) and baking )pizza, bread etc.) The alphabet is not important as yet. Their use will happen through dialogue during dough sessions. They will fit in later but now only pictures will do. Yeast dough is about brain stimulation, higher order thinking, solution building, self-confidence, language development - an endeavour like no other! A special needs child deserves nothing less!