The Hub Alternative Education setting is a place where children can grow, learn, and thrive in a supportive environment. This week, the Hubsters have been celebrating World Food Day, an annual event that raises awareness about the importance of healthy and sustainable diets and world hunger. We are proud to participate in this global movement and have been having a great time exploring different cultures through food and fun activities.
One of the highlights of World Food Day at the Hub was cooking and tasting a variety of international dishes. For instance, the Hubsters made fajitas, Caribbean chicken, spaghetti bolognaise, and chicken korma. The Hubsters worked very skilfully, chopping vegetables, mixing marinades, and stirring pans. They were able to learn about different ingredients and cooking techniques, as well as to appreciate the diversity and richness of world cuisines.
Another popular activity was the SPAG skills practice with mis-spelt tattoos. We showed them tattoos with common spelling mistakes, and the Hubsters had to find and correct them. This activity was not only very accessible and engaging for them, but it was also an effective way to reinforce important spelling and grammar rules, which are essential for their communication and literacy.
The Hubsters also participated in the ‘Come dine with me’ meal menu creation. We asked them to imagine their ideal dinner party, and they had to come up with a menu that would impress their guests. This activity allowed them to use their imagination, creativity, and communication skills, as well as to practice planning and organisation. It’s always interesting to see what unusual combinations and flavours they come up with.
We also held a group Thrive scent challenge with various foods. The Hubsters were blindfolded and presented with several unidentified scents, and they were asked to identify each scent based solely on their sense of smell. The Hubsters quickly learned that when one sense is taken away, the others are heightened in response. By relying solely on their sense of smell, they were able to differentiate between similar-smelling scents and identify each one correctly, demonstrating the impressive power of their noses.
The Hubsters were surprised to discover that their individual reactions to each scent varied, with some describing the scents as calming and soothing while others found them overwhelming and overly stimulating. This exercise encouraged them to be more mindful of their sensory experiences and how they can vary from person to person.
The group then had a discussion about the impact of smell on mood, emotion, and memory. They learned that the sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls basic emotions—explaining why certain scents can trigger vivid memories or elicit strong emotional responses.
Lastly, we carved pumpkins together and the Hubsters participated in a spelling challenge. The pumpkin carving activity was a fun and creative way for them to express their artistic skills and to decorate the Hub for Halloween.
World Food Day is more than just about food. It’s about promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing food waste, and fighting hunger and malnutrition. It’s also about celebrating diversity, sharing cultures, and having fun. At the Hub, we firmly believe in the power of education, creativity, and community to make a positive impact on the world. We are proud of our Hubsters, who have shown their passion and enthusiasm for learning and growing. We hope that their experiences at the Hub will inspire more children to appreciate the value of healthy food, friendship, and exploration.
