The story of Stone Soup is a timeless old fable that has been retold countless ways. At Kinderplace last month, classes spent a week immersed in the story; retelling it in a variety of ways; through acting, dressing up, on the felt board, and finally, by making their own homemade stone soup together.
Stone Soup by Jon J Muth, is a tale of three monks who are hungry and tired, passing through a war-torn village. Bitter and suspicious from the war, people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until together they have made a feast fit for a king.
The book brings together a whole village to feast together, proving to the villagers in the story, that they could not have had a meal as delicious as the one they had together, and that meals are best when shared.
By the end of the week, Kinderplace kids, were excited to bring vegetables from home and take turns counting, singing, cutting and cooking up a delicious soup for them to enjoy together at snack time.
“We’re making some snow soup. Whip whip! With carrots, mushrooms, peppers and broccoli!” -says preschool teacher Carol.
The kids enjoy finding the ingredients they brought in the real soup, and the activity promotes sharing and individual contribution to create an even better outcome. They learn about different vegetables, how to be helpful in the kitchen, counting, and most importantly the nature of happiness, sharing and friendship.
“These people do not know happiness, but today, we will show them how to make stone soup” -From the book; Stone Soup by Jon J Muth,
Kinderplace Developmental Preschool currently has openings for children. Find out more about Kinderplace, or contact Ginnie at ginnie.weston@osns.org or call 250-492-0295