If your children are in preschool—or close to it—baking with them is a great way to contribute to their development. Not only will you create sweet treats—and even sweeter memories—by inviting your kids into the kitchen, but you’ll also build their confidence while fostering essential life skills. 

How Baking Helps With Child Development 

When baking, having your children assist at every stage will help them develop a host of skills. Gathering all the ingredients serves as a lesson in listening and locating, for example, while measuring everything out can help with counting.

Baking contributes to physical development, as well. Pouring the ingredients into the bowl and then whisking them together will foster hand-eye coordination and muscle control.

When the time comes to decorate your mouthwatering creations, your children will also get to express their creativity. Finally, sharing the treats with the whole family will give your kids a confidence boost when everyone enjoys them and asks how they made them. 

Ways to Get Your Children Involved in the Kitchen 

Preschool-age children can assist with virtually every step of the baking process—and for optimal development, they should! By asking your children to perform simple tasks along the way, you can keep them engaged from start to finish. Depending on what you make, such tasks might include:

• Gathering the ingredients and then measuring out each one
• Locating the right tools
• Mixing the batter
• Rolling out the dough
• Cutting cookies into shapes
• Scooping batter into cupcake liners
• Spreading frosting
• Piping icing
• Applying sprinkles

When you’re ready to enroll your children in a quality preschool that will continue their development, look no further than Wilde Kingdom Early Learning Center. Located in Fairfield, OH, this child development center caters to families across the Tri-State area. With programs for children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age, their experts prioritize play-based learning, so students are always engaged. To learn more about their preschool program, visit their website or call (513) 563-9453.