10/08/2026
Picking blackberries and making a crumble provides young children with a rich, hands-on learning experience that connects play, nature, and everyday life. Being outdoors and picking the blackberries encourages children to explore the natural environment, develop curiosity, and learn where food comes from. It also supports their understanding of seasonal changes and encourages respect and care for nature.
The activity develops children’s physical skills as they reach, grasp, pick, carry, and handle the berries. These actions strengthen hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and dexterity. When making the crumble, children can practise pouring, scooping, mixing, and sprinkling ingredients, further developing their coordination and independence.
There are also many opportunities for mathematical learning. Children can count the blackberries, compare quantities and sizes, and explore concepts such as more, less, full, and empty. Measuring and sharing ingredients introduces early mathematical concepts in a meaningful and practical way.
Making the crumble supports communication and language development as children talk about what they are doing, describe the berries, learn new vocabulary, and follow instructions. Working together also encourages children to listen to others, take turns, share resources, and communicate their ideas.
The activity promotes personal, social, and emotional development by giving children opportunities to make choices, work collaboratively, and experience the satisfaction of creating something themselves. They can develop confidence and independence by taking part in real-life tasks and seeing the results of their efforts.
Finally, cooking provides valuable opportunities to learn about healthy eating, food preparation, and sensory exploration. Children can touch, smell, taste, and observe how ingredients change during cooking. Overall, picking blackberries and making a crumble creates a meaningful, enjoyable learning experience that supports several areas of preschool development at the same time.
