Baking is one of the quintessential family pastimes that has been around for centuries. The joys of spending time in the kitchen, making something delicious together and then enjoying it with your loved ones are immeasurable. Younger children can benefit from baking in many ways; from learning about science, maths or art to developing their social skills or simply getting messy (in a good way!). This article will go over some tips on how you can make sure baking with kids is an educational experience for both them and you.
Kids love baking, the whole process from the breaking of eggs to licking the spoon before the dough goes in the oven is a special experience for kids of all ages. But have you considered how baking can help with your little one’s education? Baking is a great activity to help with maths skills. The recipe will often call for fractions (e.g. “divide the dough into thirds”), estimation (“that looks like enough sugar”) or simple addition and subtraction. There’s also plenty of opportunities to practise measuring, either by volume or weight.
Baking is also a great way to introduce kids to the basics of science. They can learn about the chemical reactions that take place when ingredients are combined, and how heat affects different foods. In addition, they can explore the physical properties of ingredients such as dough, batter and cake mix. It can raise a lot of questions in a little one’s mind and, of course, they will have something delicious to eat at the end of it!
Baking a cake or some biscuits can also teach children a lot about where their food comes from. In today’s society, there is often a big disconnect between the food we eat and what goes in it. You can take this opportunity to explain that the ingredients in their treats all come from natural sources (e.g. cows for milk and eggs; fruit, vegetables or grains for sugar) instead of something manufactured in a factory.
Baking is also fun! There are so many different skills involved with the process – measuring, stirring and decorating to name a few. It’s also great for developing dexterity and hand-eye coordination. And, of course, there’s always the satisfaction of seeing your creation come to life in the oven.
The bit that many kids (and adults) really enjoy is the decorating. And, of course, the possibilities are endless. You can use biscuit cutters, icing and sprinkles to create any design you like. This is a great opportunity for kids to be creative and let their imaginations run wild. One of the places we like to look for inspiration is the London based baker Anges De Sucre. The designs they come up with are not only pleasing to the eye but also super delicious.
So, if you’re looking for an activity that will help with your child’s education, as well as provide some quality family time, baking is the perfect option, especially during the colder months where opportunities to go outside and play are few and far between. It’s also a great way to get kids away from screens!
This is a collaborative post. Images via Unsplash.