Bonfire Sausage Casserole

It's that time of year where the sun is setting early, bonfire smoke in the air and there's no better feeling that settling down with some wholesome, warming food.

Emma Hedge made sausage casserole with the children this week. For pudding, delicious golden cornbread.

The children concentrated intently whilst using the child safety knives to cut up the vegetables.  We quickly learnt that onions can make our eyes water.

As the mixture stuck together in the bowl, we had to use our muscles to stir all the ingredients together.  This is another one of those activities that has many hidden benefits for children in their learning and development.  They are using large muscles to stir but in turn their muscles are getting stronger which is actually an area needed to develop as a pre-writing skill.  Their wrists and fingers are also getting a good work out.  Strengthening them for the future when they will refine their fine motor skills and grip needing to write.

Their hand eye coordination is also  being developed as they watch what they are doing in the bowl.  Their arm stirring from side to side is something called ‘crossing the midline’ where they use their hand on both sides of an imaginary line drawn down their body.  This is essential for connecting and coordinating two sides of a child’s brain and this in turn will then improve their ability to use both hands during a task.

Delicious, warming and comforting. Another winning recipe at Hedgehogs Bakery.