Who doesn’t love pizza? As a native New Yorker, I have DNA that loves pizza. This fun take on pizza allows your child to work on pattern sequencing, fine motor skills, sensory processing, and bilateral skills all while having fun!
Shredding the cheese, rolling the dough, and slicing the toppings are all great ways to help your child develop so many skills. I make my own dough and sauce, however, you can buy ready-made dough and sauce at your local grocery store. I also help my child carefully grate cheese which improves their bilateral skills.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Spray a cooking sheet with olive oil.
Flour a surface and roll out your dough (around 18 inches by 12 inches). If your child doesn’t like the feel of flour you can have them use gloves, a spoon, or have a wet towel available so they can wipe their hands immediately.
Roll out the dough (make sure it is at room temperature) using a rolling pin into a rectangle shape. You can start the rolling and have your child assist. Pushing and rolling out the dough is a great way to improve upper body strength and tolerate getting a little messy with the sticky dough and flour.
Once the dough is ready, spread the sauce across the middle of the dough (make sure to leave 1 inch from the top and bottom of the long sides). Scooping the sauce is a great way to work on wrist stability and finger strength. Holding the sauce in the spoon, pouring it, and spreading it over the dough works in so many areas.
Sprinkle in your choice of cheese. This is a great way to work on finger isolation as well as textures. Again if your child does not want to touch the cheese, provide them with a spoon. We want this to be a safe and fun activity!
Now add toppings! You can add vegetables, or different cheeses, whatever you like. I love spinach, garlic, and feta cheese.
Once complete, roll up the dough carefully. It is a little tough in the beginning, roll slowly and keep the roll as tight as possible.
Slice the rolled dough with a pizza cutter (or knife if you don’t have a pizza cutter). Have your child safely cut the rolled dough in about 1-2 inch slices.
Place the Pizza Wheels on the prepared cooking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until they are golden brown.
Cool and enjoy!
When children see how yummy the smells are and how the family enjoys their cooking, they are more likely to participate again.
Have fun making a variety of toppings and having your child help keep a log of recipes that you liked and maybe ones you did not like. Have them tell you different ways they can improve