Did You Know Baking a Cake Can Make Your Child Smarter?

5 Reasons You Should Be Baking A Cake With Your Kids Today:

1. Increase chances your kids will eat.  If a child knows exactly what’s inside the food they are eating, they will be more likely to try it.  As you add ingredients, tell you child what you are adding.  You can also let them taste some of the ingredients.
2. Math, math and more math.  Baking is a great introduction to basic math skills, such as counting as well as more complex skills such as fractions.  Have you child count along with you as you add the ingredients.
3. Baking promotes literacy.  Using a recipe when you cook is a great way for your child to see the words on a page come alive.  Make sure to read the directions out loud and explain new words and terms along the way.  If your child is able, have him/her read with you.  When you cook with your kids, use a recipe, even if your child cannot read, you can still take this opportunity to introduce letters and numbers.
4. Science experiments in the kitchen. If baking with your child is anything like baking with my children, a lot of the ingredients will end up all over the counter and each other.  Regardless of the mess, there is nothing more exciting than watching your child’s face glow with delight as they watch their creation grow and form into something new.
5. Following directions.  Following directions is an essential part of baking as well as one of the key skills needed for school readiness.  The more practice they have, the better they will get.

Put on your aprons, gather the ingredients and begin baking.  I promise your child won’t care if you are making a cake from scratch or from a box.

In closing, remember this:

Let your kids lick the beaters!
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” Kristin Rude is the Owner and Center Director of FasTracKids, Del Mar, established in 2007. She started teaching Kindergarten in 1992. Kristin last taught in the Del Mar Union School District. She obtained her teaching credential from the University of San Diego and has her Masters degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on second language learners. When Kristin is not working, motherhood keeps her plenty busy with her 2 children, Connor, age 5 & Katherine, age 4. It has been a truly rewarding experience watching her own children benefit from the FasTracKids program. Spending time with her family, golfing, traveling, and continuously learning are among her favorite activities.”