While exploring a food theme, I really like to teach the children about where food comes from.  Milk and dairy products are a great group to explore this way.  I start out by asking the children if they have milk at their homes.  They usually all reply in the affirmative.  Then I ask where milk comes from.  MOST kids know milk comes from a cow, though they’re a bit hazy on the details, and every now and then you’ll find a little one who hasn’t even come to the cow-milk connection yet.  Once we establish that milk comes from cows, I ask if the children have any cows at home.  Most children don’t.  So then I ask how they got the milk they have in their refrigerators?  They came from the store!  Well, does the store have any cows?  None that they’ve seen!  So how does it get there?  It’s a long journey! Then, I explain that I want to tell them the story of milk!

I like to tell the story using pictures (I’ve linked some samples for you) and telling about my grandfather who was a dairy farmer.  I tell them a little about him, then show a picture of cows grazing.  I tell them that when cows eat grass, some of that food goes to giving the cow energy and making it healthy, and part goes to making milk in the cow.  Next, I show a picture of udders (closer here).  This is a point of confusion, and not just for children.  Have you ever seen the animated movie “Barnyard”?  ALL of the cows, including male characters, have udders.  It drives me crazy!  But I digress.  Be clear that the udders are where the milk is stored in the momma cow.  You may have someone claim that the udders are used for going to the bathroom.  Simply dispel that as false, and focus on the milk! 

[Read more…]