The holidays are here and baking is a marvelous tradition for many families! This can be a wonderful opportunity to incorporate many skills with your child such as vocabulary, sequencing, using the 5 senses, fine motor, math, and reading. Baking can also get a little messy, especially with younger children, but that is part of the process and can be fun too!
As with anything, it’s important to give your child TIME: time to listen, time to watch and learn, time to process what you said, response time, wait time and time to have fun!
Here are a few baking tips according to your child’s age:
Toddler (ages 1-3 years)
As you bring out the materials, it is important to show and name some of the items you will be using and have your toddler repeat the name as you say it: spoon, bowl, cup, mixer, eggs, milk, butter, oven, pan. Encourage them verbalize: “I want the_______.” Or have them ask you a question: “Can I have the_______?”
As you complete an action, tell and show your toddler what you are doing: “Mommy will stir the eggs.” “Mommy will pour the milk.” “Let’s roll the dough.” Involve them too by asking your toddler for help, “do you want to stir/mix the eggs?”
Use a tried-and-true teaching technique called hand-over-hand by allowing your toddler to help by putting your hands over theirs.
Preschool (ages 3-5)
Tell your child what items you will need and have them recall the items (start with 1 item and move to 2 and then 3 items). Make sure your child is familiar with the items if they are new to their vocabulary. Need to stop and have a vocabulary lesson? Take this moment to do so – you’ll love the results!
Have them follow a 1-2 step direction (ex. First pour the sugar in the bowl and then stir it)
This is a great age to bring in the 5 senses: ask your child: How does it smell?
How does it taste? What color is the _______? How does the dough feel?
What do you hear? (mixer, microwave—can they distinguish between the two items).
Early Elementary (ages 6-9)
At this age, your child can follow 3-4 step directions and begin to predict what might be the next step in the process (ex. After you crack the eggs, you should…….) If your child is beginning to read, they can read the recipe for you. You can also help them with beginning to measure out ingredients. These ages will be messy as you permit them to do more by themselves. Remember they can help clean up too!
Tween (ages 10-12)
At this age, assist your child with reading the recipe and measuring out the ingredients. You can also allow them to have the responsibility of turning the oven on/off and setting the temperature. When they are older, they have the attention span and more patience for wait time.
Try to give them as much independence as possible, but be available to help when questions arise.
At any age, enjoy the baking experience with your child. Allow time for learning words, actions, mess, and clean-up but most of all time to enjoy goodies!