You and your child will pretend to measure ingredients and bake using water and simple kitchen tools.
Learning Area(s): Math; Physical Development
MATERIALS
- large container (tub/bucket) of water
- towel
- plastic mixing bowls of various sizes
- whisks
- wooden spoons
- plastic measuring cups
- plastic measuring spoons
- muffin tins/baking pans
- box or tub to be a pretend oven
LET'S PLAY
Before beginning this activity, show your child each kitchen tool, name it, and show him how to use it. For example: “This is a whisk. We use it to stir. Watch me as I stir with my whisk in this bowl.” Then give your child a chance to practice using each of the kitchen tools.
Then explain the activity to your child: “Today we are going to pretend to cook some yummy food! You can cook whatever you want. What do you want to make today?” Give your child a chance to share what he would like to make. Go along with his suggestion.
Encourage your child to explore the kitchen tools and pretend to measure, stir, and bake using the water as the ingredients. He can scoop, stir, and pour the water in and out of bowls and pans. While he is exploring, continue to show him how to use the kitchen tools and pretend with him. You can act out the steps of cooking and describe what you’re doing. For example, you can say, “You said you wanted to make chocolate cupcakes today. First, we need to measure the ingredients with our measuring cups… one cup of milk, one cup of flour, one cup of sugar, and one cup of chocolate! Then, you will stir them up with a spoon in the mixing bowl. Next, let’s carefully pour the batter into the muffin tins. Now, we need to put them in the oven to bake!”
Give your child space and time to be creative and explore. Talk about what you see him doing, and ask him questions as he plays.
TIPS
- This activity is very messy. It is best done outside so that spills are easy to clean up. It’s okay if your child spills the water or dumps it on herself. This is a part of the learning process! For toddlers, you can begin by reading a book about cooking, such as Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake by Eileen Christelow.
- It is okay if younger toddlers just want to practice scooping and stirring and don’t grasp the concept of pretend cooking yet. Practicing scooping and stirring are important fine motor skills to work on.
- When working with older toddlers, be sure to take time to ask them about what they are doing, and help them use new vocabulary. Use simple sentences that fit your actions, such as, “I’m stirring,” “I’m baking cookies,” or “I poured water.”