As this school year is coming to an end, we are taking the time to celebrate each and everyone's milestones and growth they have made. School-age 2 decided to celebrate by making chocolate chip cookies for our end of year family social. As the ingredients were brought in, the children were excited to get started.
As Sarah was setting out the ingredients, some of the children started by reading the recipe and told Sarah what she needed. The ingredients were roughly pre-measured into bowls, so we started off by reading the labelled ingredients of what we need to make cookies and proceeded to measure out the exact amount that we'd need. We all read the recipe together and determined which ingredients had to go in first and which ones went in last. It had stated that the dry ingredients go in first and wet ingredients get put in second because it mixes easier. Then one by one they all got to take turns by pouring in the ingredients.
“Sarah, can I pour in the vanilla extract?” Madeline asked. As we went around the table we discussed what each other's favourite kind of cookie is. We kept on naming so many different options that it was too hard to just pick one.
Next it was time to put in the wet ingredients. “I want to crack an egg,” Layla said. She carefully tapped the egg on the table and used her fingers to open the egg. Now, everyone's favourite part was to put in the chocolate chips. Finally, when all of the ingredients were in the bowl, Claire said, “I want to mix it!”
This process develops their language development and reading skills by learning new terminology such as whisking, kneading, and stirring. It also helps them with following directions, focus, and patience by allowing them to let the dough rest, as well as waiting for the cookies to bake in the oven. It enhances their math skills by counting, identifying difference between seconds and minutes, and measuring with cups, teaspoons, and tablespoons. It allows them to help with their motor skills by stirring, pouring, and arm strength as we kneaded the dough. Learning to bake anything, even something as simple as cookies, allows children to grow and foster new creative ideas in future.
