Baking goodies, like cookies and cupcakes, can a wonderfully fun and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with your children. Children love to eat baked goods, so why not let them see how to make such tasty delights? Most children love to spend time with their parents, especially when that time offers them time to spend with their parent one on one. This time of specialized attention can make all the difference for little ones, helping their self-esteem and their need to be shown that you care. Baking with your child can create special memories that your child may look back on for the rest of their lives. Some of my fondest memories are of helping my mother and grandmothers bake as a child. These really are the moments that help to define us, when all is said and done.
Another reason that baking with your children is a great idea is because it is an activity that they can actually participate in. Depending on your child’s age, it can be hard to find activities you can both enjoy, especially the younger the child is. This is why baking can be such a great way to enjoy your child’s company. When baking cookies or cupcakes, your child can really get in there and participate by helping you measure and mix all the ingredients together. Then they can even help spoon the mixture onto the baking sheet or into a cupcake holder, really giving them the sense of being helpful. After they are removed from the oven and cooled, you can even let your child help decorate the baked goods, letting them leave their special touch on them for everyone to see.
Children love to help their parents, and can gain a sense pride from doing so. Baking can give them the chance to feel proud of something they have made, and can give them the opportunity to feel as if they are nurturing you for once. Baking can help the child fulfill their need to please the authority figures in their life, which can also give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Baking can also teach your child how to listen and follow a set of directions, which are important life skills for your child to learn. Learning to take direction and follow a set of instructions is a very important lesson to learn for any child, because it is something they will have to know to be able to succeed in life. Early exposure to these kinds of life skills can help your child develop an understanding that will assist them in all of their endeavors in life.
Many times, your child will love baking so much that after you bake with them once, they will ask you to do it again and again. Your child may love it so much, that you may decide to make it a weekly event for the two of you. If you decide that baking with your child will become your special time together, you may want to think about purchasing special kitchen items just for your child. There are many companies that offer items for purchase that are created especially for children. These items include child size aprons, decorated in a variety of ways, for both boys and girls. Other items include actual bake ware that is molded into fun shapes and sizes to keep children interested. Another idea is to create a baking cookbook or scrapbook with your child. Creating your own book together can bring both baking and crafts into the fun, and can create a lasting portrait of the fun you shared with your child.
About the Author: Brianna Kelly has over 5 years experience publishing articles on childcare education and parenting. She writes on a regular basis for Giraffe child care, who has 18 locations based in Dublin, Ireland.
