Strengthening Bonds through Cooking
GOH Sze Xuan Tricia, College of Design and Engineering
When her picnic plans at Marina Barrage fell through, Tricia GOH, an NUS ComLink befriender, quickly turned the situation into an engaging hands-on cooking session for the children. This ability to transform a setback into a rewarding experience exemplifies the spirit of community engagement – adapting to challenges while nurturing growth and connection.
Cooking session activity sheet to engage the children
Tricia introduced the children to the art of making pasta – a simple, versatile, and delicious dish – while also teaching them essential kitchen skills. To keep the activity interesting and interactive, she created a fun activity sheet that had the children fill in the blanks, match ingredients and work together to prepare the meal (see chart).
Cooking and the meal.
Though initially restless, the children quickly became immersed in the cooking process once clear expectations were set. As they boiled water, chopped garlic, cooked pasta, and fried meatballs (see photo), they soon realised the amount of effort that had to go into cooking. One child exclaimed, “Wow, cooking is actually so difficult!” This realisation deepened their appreciation of their mother’s daily efforts, marking a heartwarming moment of the day.
By stepping out of their comfort zone, the children learned more than just how to cook. They discovered teamwork, adaptability, and gratitude for the small, everyday contributions their loved ones make.