When children bake, they’re learning math, reading, and science. Following a recipe involves counting, measurement, and fractions (two teaspoons, three tablespoons, twenty stirs, whole, half, etc.) When we doubled the recipe to make enough cookies to share with our parents, we practiced addition and multiplication. Following a recipe also involved learning about familiar ingredients including flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda, and discussing the purpose of each ingredient.
By handling baking utensils such as measuring spoons, rolling pins, and cookie cutters, the children developed fine motor skills and strengthened their eye-hand coordination. Through working alongside adults and performing “grown-up” tasks, the children gained confidence. Perhaps most importantly, the children practiced important social skills while baking. Working together and taking turns, waiting patiently for the cookies to come out of the oven, and cleaning up at the end all provided important learning opportunities. We look forward to sharing our treats with you on Tuesday!