How a little dough can dish out confidence in kids

A pizza-making class in Kulai, Malaysia, offers children a hands-on experience that builds confidence, coordination, and a sense of accomplishment. The initiative, launched by Qulai Pizza owner Shahril Aman, began as a response to parents asking if their children could participate in the pizza-making sessions. Now, regular morning programs allow groups of about 20 children - or larger groups - to knead, shape, and bake their own pizzas using a wood-fired oven.

The process, which takes an hour and a half to three hours, helps children understand the effort that goes into creating something from scratch. Shahril believes that the experience boosts children's confidence as they realize they can accomplish a seemingly difficult task. Supervision is strict near the oven, but parents, teachers, and staff are encouraged to maintain a positive atmosphere to support the children.

The program is inclusive, welcoming children with special needs like autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Shahril's wife, who has a background in special education, helps adapt activities to meet each child's comfort level and abilities. The kampung setting adds to the experience, providing opportunities to observe natural elements like fruit trees, herbs, and firewood used to heat the oven.

Shahril's own career path was unexpected. He worked in corporate roles before the Covid-19 pandemic, when he learned pizza-making through online videos and experimentation. This background influences his approach, emphasizing the value of allowing children to try unfamiliar tasks, learn from mistakes, and gain a sense of accomplishment through guidance.

Ultimately, the reward for the children is a delicious pizza they made themselves and the satisfaction of knowing they did everything from preparing the dough to watching it come out of the oven.