Rainbow in the Kitchen: Transformation in Our JS Art Kitchen
In an exciting development at our Junior School, the art kitchen is now revitalised with a spectrum of colours. This innovative approach not only decorated the physical space but also enhanced our students' learning experience in engaging and meaningful ways.
For many years, children around the world have been encouraged to add colour to their meals to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Our Junior School art team is now embracing the "eat a rainbow" concept and spent an entire school year re-planning and upgrading the kitchen space to enhance collaboration, responsibility, and creativity among our students. With vibrant colours representing students’ artsy identities, students will work together on art projects and take on the crucial task of maintaining a clean and organised workspace.
At DCB, we pride ourselves on our leading evidence-based education which enables us to present our principles of learning that underpin the worldclass educational practices. We believe that learning is effective when students take ownership and responsibility so that it has a clear purpose. While we engage students in the international curriculum, we accommodate the diverse learning styles and strengths of students by providing them with adaptive approaches.
In the new kitchen, students embrace their beloved cooking classes with assigned tools and utensils based on their designated colour. Each colour coded team is responsible for specific tasks, from gathering art supplies to setting up workstations and ensuring the kitchen is left spotless after each session. This interactive system transforms cooking classes into a fun and educational adventure where children learn the importance of responsibility and organisation in the form of a variety of colours — both in their diet and in their educational journey.
By entrusting students with these responsibilities, we empower them to take ownership of their environment and develop essential life skills. Working in groups encourages communication, cooperation, and problem-solving as students collaborate to complete their tasks efficiently and effectively.
“Life happens in the kitchen,” said Helen Chen, Junior School Art and Design assistant as well as the initiator of the kitchen renovation project. “We want our students to experience the fun of life and the meaning of a healthy lifestyle by being an active owner of the process.”
The age-appropriate colour-coding system is simple and easy for all age groups to understand, making the art kitchen inclusive. It fosters an interactive learning environment where students can collaborate and accumulates transferable skills that are crucial for any other aspects of the art learning that they choose to dive into in their future journey.
Beyond the practical aspects, the colours also enrich the creative atmosphere of the art kitchen. The vibrant environment stimulates creativity and curiosity. Students are more excited to participate in cooking activities, experiment with new recipes, and explore a wide array of ingredients. "Embracing creativity with ownership is key when learning about food and nutrition in our Junior School kitchen." Added Sally Corben, our Junior School Head of Art and Design. Students are encouraged to express themselves artistically, drawing inspiration from their experiment, and collaborating with their teammates to bring their ideas to life.
We aim to foster a vibrant and inclusive community within our Junior School art kitchen, where students explore their artistic talents and develop invaluable skills that will serve them well in the future. Together, we embark on this exciting journey of creativity, teamwork, and personal growth. We are excited to see the many delicious and nutritious meals that will come from this lively, inspiring space!
