How our Mexico Plate Culture day brought learning to life

Hi worldschoolers! Welcome to Plate Culture, a cultural class for kids where they learn through hands-on cooking, singing, and learning about a country. This month, we learned about Mexico!

As someone who has called Mexico home, this worldschooling activity was pretty important for me. My son was born there (which makes him a Mexican citizen) while I have traveled the 32 states.

You can pretty much say that we have deep Mexican roots and know the country in and out.

Last week, we had 10 kids at our worldschooling hub and here’s what happened during the activity:

1 hour of free play

Our worldschooling “hub” is actually our private home, which we opened to families in November 2025. We are fortunate to have a spacious area indoors and a playground right in front of our street.

As an outdoor play advocate, I believe it is essential that children have at least one hour of free play each day—time when they can simply do whatever they want, explore, and create their own adventures.

In the Philippines, not every family has access to safe outdoor spaces where children can play freely. That is why it brings me so much joy to see our Filipino guests enjoying our environment.

Watching them run, climb, invent games, and laugh together reminds me why we opened our doors in the first place: to give children the gift of unstructured play in a safe, welcoming space.

As a parent and educator, I know that free play is more than just fun—it is foundational. Research shows that unstructured play supports cognitive development, builds problem-solving skills, and strengthens social-emotional growth.

Children who engage in free play are more likely to develop creativity, resilience, and self-confidence. It also promotes physical health, as kids naturally move, climb, and run when given the freedom to play.

Most importantly, free play nurtures joy and connection, which are vital for lifelong learning.

We made tortillas by hand!

Making tortillas by hand with the children was one of the highlights of our Mexico Plate Culture activity. As we mixed, pressed, and cooked the dough together, the kids experienced Mexican culture in the most tangible way—through food.

They learned how tortillas are central to daily life, not just as nourishment but as a symbol of community and tradition. Cooking side by side gave them a chance to connect, ask questions, and appreciate culture through taste, touch, and shared laughter.

We taught the kids about safe knife handling

Next, we guided the children in cutting fresh vegetables, an essential step in preparing tacos. With small, safe knives and plenty of supervision, they learned how to slice tomatoes, onions, and peppers while practicing coordination and focus.

This simple act of food preparation became a cultural lesson, showing them how Mexican families bring ingredients together to create vibrant meals.

The kids discovered that cooking is not only about nourishment but also about honoring traditions and sharing community through food.

We made tacos de birria!

Finally, we came together to make tacos de birria, a dish that embodies the heart of Mexican cuisine. The children watched with excitement as the rich, slow‑cooked meat was folded into warm tortillas and dipped into flavorful consommé.

Preparing and tasting birria gave them a deeper appreciation for the artistry and tradition behind Mexican food. It wasn’t just about cooking—it was about experiencing culture through flavor, texture, and ritual, and celebrating the joy of sharing a meal together.

Finally, we stamped our culinary passports

To close our Mexico Plate Culture activity, the children proudly stamped their culinary passports. Each stamp marked a new skill learned and a cultural experience shared—from free play to tortilla‑making, veggie cutting, and savoring tacos de birria.

This final ritual gave the kids a tangible reminder of their journey, symbolizing not just the dishes they created but the traditions they discovered.

The passports became keepsakes of connection, learning, and joy, celebrating how food can open doors to culture.

Next Plate Culture session: Argentina

We ended our Mexico Plate Culture journey with full hearts and full bellies, and now we’re excited to invite families to join our next Plate Culture adventure: Argentina! 

In March, we’ll explore Argentine traditions through food, play, and community—learning how empanadas, mate, and tango reflect the country’s vibrant spirit.

Just as we did with Mexico, we’ll cook, share stories, and stamp our culinary passports together. Come be part of this joyful celebration of culture, connection, and discovery!

👉 RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR ARGENTINA