06/19/2026
Our Very First Walter the Baker Literacy & Learning Sourdough Class was a Sweet Success! Here is a RECAP! Get ready for some cuteness!
From the moment our young bakers arrived, it was as if they had known one another forever. The room was buzzing with excitement as children eagerly explored hands-on learning stations and prepared for a very special journey through Walter the Baker.
We began by learning about foods found in a bakery. Using beautiful hand-painted food pieces, the children practiced careful handling and sorting skills while deciding which items belonged in a bakery and which did not. Along the way, we discussed food groups and healthy food choices.
As we settled into our story, we paused during a friendly debate between the king and queen—jelly or honey? The children became taste-testers as they carefully spread jelly on one side of their sourdough bread and honey on the other. After cleansing their palates between bites, each baker proudly announced whether they were Team King or Team Queen… the jelly ruled!
Throughout the story, we explored important life lessons about confidence, perseverance, overcoming challenges, and healthy ways to manage our emotions when things don’t go our way.
We engaged all five senses as we talked about the sights, sounds, and wonderful smells found in a bakery. Scratch-and-sniff stickers helped us discover bakery-inspired scents while making connections to our sense of smell.
Next came one of our favorite activities—making fresh squeezed lemonade! The children squeezed lemons, carefully removed seeds using their fine motor skills, and mixed their own refreshing drink. It was delicious and the perfect treat for a busy afternoon of learning.
Then it was time for dough! We learned how dough stretches, rises, and moves, practiced shaping techniques, and transformed our dough into pretzels that were boxed up to take home and bake later.
Science came alive as we decorated a bakery pretzel. We explored solids and liquids while watching chocolate melt from a solid into a liquid. We talked about how melted chocolate and butter can act like “glue” to help toppings stick. The children piped chocolate, selected toppings, and even created their own unique dipping sauces.
Between all the baking fun, we learned table manners, kitchen safety, proper food handling, and the importance of keeping our baking space clean and organized.
To celebrate a wonderful day of learning, each child adopted a small pet to take home. We explored animals that live in the wild and those that live in the water before choosing our new little friends—a sweet keepsake from a very special day.
Most importantly, the home bakery was filled with smiles, laughter, kindness, and children who were excited to learn. Watching young readers, thinkers, and bakers grow their confidence through literacy and hands-on experiences was truly a joy for all of the adults!
Thank you to all of our wonderful families for making our very first Walter the Baker Literacy & Learning Sourdough Class such a memorable success. We can’t wait for the next adventure! ❤️🥨📚🍋
