How We Engage in Collaborative Meal Preparation

Supporting teamwork, planning, and following routines.

Benji and Giulietta engage in collaborative meal preparation as a meaningful way to build teamwork, planning, and communication skills. During these activities, they practice important functional life skills while using their AAC or PECS binder to make a meal together. Meal preparation provides daily opportunities to make choices, follow directions, and take pride in contributing to a shared meal. Our goal is for Benji and Giulietta to develop confidence and independence in a supportive environment.

Planning the Meal Together

We involve Benji and Giulietta in meal planning by encouraging them to use their communication tools to choose meals. Together, we discuss the steps involved, and gather supplies and ingredients. We also create visual or laminated checklists to guide them through each stage of meal preparation. This structured approach helps Benji and Giulietta take ownership of the activity, promotes decision making skills, and supports independence as they follow routines and contribute to shared goals.

Encouraging Teamwork

Giulietta is usually in charge of creating sentences on her iPad to communicate with Benji about what to find. We often set up items on the table, usually three to five, depending on Benji’s focus and concentration that day and then use photo cards or the iPad to show him a picture of what Giulietta is requesting. Benji then finds the correct item on the table and brings it to her. Working this way helps Benji and Giulietta coordinate with each other, take turns, offer help, and practice collaborative problem solving skills.

Embedding Communication Throughout the Process

We encourage Benji and Giulietta to make requests and comment using their AAC or PECSs binder throughout the meal preparation process. We also encourage them to ask for help when needed. For example, if Giulietta has difficulty completing her sentence on the iPad or if Benji cannot find an item she requested. These moments are used as natural opportunities to model communication.

Following Routines and Sequencing Steps

We emphasize the importance of routine during meal preparation. Benji and Giulietta follow recipes step by step, using visual prompts or laminated cards to guide the sequence of tasks. We encourage them to check off each completed step independently to build confidence. We use a variety of visual supports and ensure that routines are followed in a clear, structured way. This consistent routine helps Benji and Giulietta understand the flow of a task from start to finish.

Transitioning from Gathering to Meal Preparation

Once all the items have been found and checked off the list, we transition from the gathering phase to hands on meal preparation. At this stage, Benji and Giulietta are given specific responsibilities based on their strengths and focus levels. These may include measuring and cutting ingredients or stirring. By giving each of them a defined role, we support independence and confidence, while continuing to build practical life skills and teamwork.

Collaborative Meal Preparation Visual Recipe and Communication

Learning Objectives

• Teamwork

• Develop confidence in the kitchen

• Develop independence in the kitchen

• Practice number recognition and counting

• Enhance communication skills using iPad

• Follow instructions

• Build confidence in meal preparation

Objective

Giulietta and Benji will collaborate to choose, prepare, and cook a meal together, with Giulietta using her iPad to communicate what is needed for the recipe and to navigate through the preparation process.

Steps to Achieve the Goal

1. Choosing a Meal Together

Activity: Begin by discussing meal options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Encourage Giulietta and Benji to brainstorm together and choose a recipe they both want to make. Use visuals.

Goal: Giulietta and Benji will collaboratively select one recipe, demonstrating teamwork and communication “I want to make ____”.

2. Creating a Grocery List

Activity: Once they have chosen a recipe, guide them in making a grocery list of ingredients needed. Use Giulietta's iPad to create the list, helping her navigate to different folders and spell out the list of ingredients.

Goal: Giulietta will successfully create a grocery list on her iPad with five to ten ingredients needed for the recipe.

3. Shopping for Ingredients

Activity: Take Giulietta and Benji to the grocery store to find the items on their list. Encourage Giulietta to use her iPad to find items “I need to find,” or “I found”.

Goal: Giulietta will navigate through the grocery store, communicating what she needs to find/ what she has already found.

4. Preparing to Cook

Activity: Once back home, have Giulietta use her iPad to communicate the steps needed for the recipe to Benji. She should navigate to the recipe on the iPad and indicate what items are required and what steps need to be taken. For example, “Benji, go find spinach.”

Goal: Giulietta will communicate to Benji using her iPad, demonstrating her ability to navigate and use proloquo.

5. Collaborating in Meal Preparation

Activity: Encourage Giulietta and Benji to work together in the kitchen to prepare the meal, assigning specific tasks to each of them. Giulietta can use her iPad to help guide the process, ensuring they follow the recipe.

Goal: Giulietta will participate in the meal preparation, using her iPad to direct Benji.

6. Practicing Communication Skills

Activity: Throughout the cooking process, prompt Giulietta to give instructions. For example, “Can you crack egg?” or “We need to mix” (she may need support)

Goal: Giulietta will engage with Benji during the cooking process, demonstrating her ability to express needing assistance.

7. Enjoying the Meal Together

Activity: Encourage Giulietta to express what she “likes” about the meal.