Most of us teach our children to cook.Some more than others. It can be included in your home school education and be a very fun part of it. My children all learned fractions, measuring, doubling, adding fractions, multiplying, and subtracting while cooking. We started out using measuring cups that held specific amounts, 1 cup, 1/2, 1/4 and so on. Then I would tell them to fill a cup that holds 1/2 and they did until they got it right. We practiced with water, candy, cereal, all kinds of things so they had treats at times. Then we moved to a 2 cup measuring cup and did the same thing. They caught on fast.
The next step was to cook following a recipe. Before the real thing I had the children get out all the measuring cups and spoons we would need, we went over what held what. Then they learned to follow the recipe and learned to cook as well. When that was mastered we learned to double the recipe. This gets harder, they need to be able to add or multiply fractions. But it is a great way to learn to do fractions. After doubling we tripled. Then I reversed the process I found recipes that were meant to feed hundreds of people. The kids then break down the recipe to feed our family. This taught them to subtract fractions. We would use the measuring cups and spoons, as well as work it on paper. Draw pies, split them up. Color them in. Oh and we always ate what we made.
Bread products are great way to teach and entertain young children. Bread sticks can keep them entertained for hours. Shaping them can be a very important process for a 3 year old, or an 8 year old. Let them use imaginations, you may have an artist in the works.
Cooking and baking teaches a skill needed to survive in life. It also teaches math a very important and needed subject. This week try making bread sticks with your dinner. Let your kids roll them and shape them. It can be so much fun.
Jaelene Huffman
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