Serving Spoon Helper

What you need

• a bowl of food that's easy to scoop, like peas, pasta or rice
• a serving spoon
• a plate for each person

How to do it

1. Before the meal, ask your child how many people are eating, and count everyone on your fingers.
2. Put the plates in a row with the bowl of food beside them, cooled to warm.
3. Let them serve one spoonful onto each plate, counting the plates as they go.
4. Go round again for a second spoonful, and check together: has everyone got the same?

Why it matters

Sharing out food so everyone gets the same is counting with a purpose, and every plate shows whether it worked.

What they're learning

Counting the people

One number for each person.

Steady scooping

Bowl to plate without spilling.

Fair shares

Checking everyone has the same.

What to look for

Notice them looking along the plates to see who still needs a spoonful.

A tip

Let the food cool to warm before they serve, and keep hot pans well out of reach.

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