Hi everyone! How’s your day?

I have been thinking of an activity for Sophia and since we’re at my parents house, baking is a good option. Sophia loves to eat banana bread, so we decided to let her help us bake it this time.

Have you tried baking with your toddler/ child? There are a lot of benefits when you let your toddler help out in the kitchen. Yes, it can be quite messy and as moms that could be overwhelming.. but let’s look at the brighter side, you and your child can learn a lot from this activity. Check out my list below 🙂

Here are some benefits of baking with your child:

1. Learning how to follow instructions.  Reading the instructions and follow it one-by-one. Pour the flour, mix the batter, scoop the sugar and put in the bowl etc.
2. Learning to focus more and practice eye-hand coordination. 
3. Building language development and communication skills. Baking is a great way to introduce new words to your child. Talk and describe the things you are doing.
4. Learning about life skills. Learning how to cook, bake and clean up afterwards. These skills are very important as they will carry it on until they became adults.
5. Builds their fine motor skills and coordination. Mixing, pouring, holding the scoop are great ways to practice their fine motor skills.
6. Gives your child a sense of confidence and independence. I’m sure it will make them very proud to see and taste their finished product!
7. A new sensory experience. Sense of touch – let your child use their “clean” hands to feel the flour, mix the dough, and taste test the ingredients that are safe to eat. Let them enjoy this moment!
8. Encourages them to try new foods. Is your child a picky eater? Try to involve them in meal preparations and let them explore different flavors, textures of the ingredients. They also MIGHT eat the food they helped prepare right? Not all children are the same but it’s WORTH A TRY. 🙂
9. Learning about math. Counting the eggs, how many scoops of flour needed etc.
10. Learning about safety and good hygiene. They need to know that they have to be careful in every action they take. That some things are cold, hot, sharp and it can hurt them. Also, before baking they need to wash their hands so as not to contaminate the food and doesn’t give them tummy ache.
11. Encourages parent-child bonding. For me this is the best part. Bonding time with your precious one. Sing songs while baking, laugh and enjoy these memories. Take videos and selfies too.
12. Opens her creativity and interest in other fields. Who knows your child might be a chef someday? Whatever your child wants to be, support them.
13.  Learning about patience. You child will learn how to wait for her turn to mix the flour or if she wants to eat the something, she has to wait for it to be cooked first.

Want your child to stay focused for a long time? Try baking! It worked for Sophia. She stayed in the kitchen and helped out until we placed the banana mixture in the oven!

Left pic: Sophia tries to beat the eggs.

Right pic: Sophia learns how to use the hand mixer. However, she prefers to manually mixing everything! HAHAHA.

Left pic: Sophia holding the pan for gwammy as she pours the mixture in it.

Right pic: Putting the chocolate bits as toppings!

First taste goes to Sophia!

Sophia said: “YUM!!!”

We’re so proud of her dedication in baking this “nana bread” ! 🙂