There were plenty of smiles, a little bit of mess, and some delicious learning happening inside Kat Forbes' Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classroom at Sandyview Learning Center as students rolled up their sleeves to make their very own bagel pizzas this week!

The hands-on activity was part of a larger classroom unit focused on restaurants, helping students learn about everyday experiences they will encounter in their communities.

"Right now we're learning about restaurants," explained Forbes, who is in her first year leading the ECSE classroom. "We do a lot of learning about things that are out and about in the world. And so something that kids will be encountering is restaurants."

Students had the opportunity to become little chefs, spreading pizza sauce onto their bagels, grating cheese, and choosing and placing their toppings before enjoying their homemade creations.

While making pizzas was certainly a fun experience, the activity also provided opportunities for students to practice important developmental skills. From following directions and making choices to communicating with classmates and participating in a shared activity, every step of the process offered meaningful learning opportunities.

Forbes says these types of hands-on experiences are an important part of helping her young learners develop skills they can carry into their everyday lives.

And for Forbes, the most rewarding part of her first year in the role has been watching her students make progress, both big and small.

"I just love watching them grow," Forbes shared. "It's just cool to get to see all the ways that they're growing the communication and social skills and all the things. That's been a lot of fun."

The ECSE program at Sandyview Learning Center focuses on supporting young students as they develop foundational skills in communication, social interaction, independence, and learning through engaging, age-appropriate activities.

Forbes has brought enthusiasm, creativity, and a caring approach to her classroom in her first year, creating opportunities for students to learn through experiences that are both enjoyable and meaningful.

Whether it's learning about restaurants, practicing communication skills, or making a delicious bagel pizza, these young Hawkeyes are building confidence and developing skills that will serve them well as they continue to grow.