Materials
Flour 1/2 cup (125 ml) measure
Large bowls Water
Smooth, clean surface or mess trays Pizza pan
Plastic pizza cutters, cookie cutters, small rolling pins Colored playdough
Instructions
1. Let each child measure 1/2 cup of flour and place it in a bowl.
2. Add enough water to make a dough with a consistency that is thick enough to be handled.
3. After washing their hands the children put flour on their hands and knead the dough on a surface or in a mess tray.
4. Discuss the textures of the dough as it is mixed. Remind children that this is a playdough pizza you are making; it is not to be eaten.
5. After it has been thoroughly combined, transfer the dough to the pizza pan, adding flour to the surface if the dough is too sticky.
6. Allow the children to manipulate the dough with their hands, rolling pins, pizza cutters, etc.
7. Re-apply flour to hands if dough continues to stick to hands; add flour to utensils if necessary.
8. Add colored playdough to dough to simulate pizza toppings. Discard all dough after play has ended.
9. On another day, make real pizzas for lunch by using a pizza crust mix purchased in many retail grocery stores. Just add desired toppings.More to doDramatic play: Turn that area into a pizza parlor with pizzeria props, pretend food, pizza pans, empty parmesan and grated pepper containers, etc. Makehalf of your pizzeria into a restaurant complete with a salad bar. Pre-paint shredded paper green to create lettuce. Add to a large bowl or water table and add pre-cut peppers, etc., for salad toppings. Add tongs for each salad item.Field trip: Schedule a tour of a local pizzeria and talk to a pizza parlor or pizza delivery person. Ask for pizza props such as boxes, hats, sacks, insulated carriers, coupons, flyers, plates aprons, etc., to add to the dramatic play area.Food: Order pizza for lunch. Choose the size and type and allow the children to collect the pizzas upon delivery.Manipulatives: Make a pizza puzzle. Using a round piece of cardboard the size of a pizza pan, decorate the cardboard to look like a pizza. Cut it into slices. Allow the children to fit the pizza into the pizza pan to complete the puzzle. This can be done on a flannel board also.Original songOn Top of a Pizza (sing to the tune of "On top of Old Smokey")On top of a pizza,All covered with cheese, (rub tummy)I lost my pepperoni, (pretend to cry)When somebody sneezed. (Achoo!)It rolled off the table,And onto the floor (point to the floor)And then my pepperoni,Rolled straight out the door! (Slam!)
