Among many beneficial fun activities that we can do with children to promote learning and development, is Baking. As messy as it may be, it surely can prove to be a joyous learning which offers ample opportunities to know about food, their sources, nutritional values and health benefits.
Through baking, children can learn basic math skills while measuring ingredients, get acquainted with following directions or instructions, and learn the importance of following specific steps through the recipe.
It is a multilayer learning activity which enhances sensory and cultural awareness as it exposes children to new textures, tastes, flavors, colors, aromas and odors, and more. Promotes language skills through reading recipes and labels, discovering different names of the same food items in a cultural or regional context, learning unfamiliar words and terms expressed in cooking and baking.
It provides endless opportunities for children’s artistic expression, be it decorating or icing cookies, cupcakes or garnishing a plate, maybe even topping a pizza. Which also helps build a healthy sense of competition to do better than their peers in presentation of their final product.
Baking at the Art House offers a deeper understanding of farm-to-table produce and how to develop healthy eating habits. It also allows us to teach children about safety in the kitchen, freedom of expression and exploration, encourages experimentation through safe kitchen play, which in turn helps them develop trust within themselves and instills life-changing learning skills.