Materials
Large mixing bowl Readily available regular baking ingredients
Paper Pens
Precut paper shapes of measuring cups and spoons, for the younger children
Instructions
The idea here is first to have the children "create" recipes and then to make a "real" recipe. This will show the children how important precision and proportion of ingredients is in cooking, as well as the different effects of ingredients1. At circle time, talk about recipes, ingredients and baking. Ask the children to think about something they would like to cook and about what types of ingredients the recipe requires.
2. Let them write or dictate their recipes on paper using words and pictures, such as ingredients, measuring cups and teaspoons. For young children, you can cut out magazine pictures of ingredients for them to choose from and paste on their paper.
3. With the children, pick one of the recipes to make together as a group.
4. Follow the steps the children have put in the recipe. Help them read the ingredients and directions and mix the ingredients in a bowl.
5. During the whole process, talk about the function of each ingredient, how it changes the mixture, what would happen if you added more or less flour, etc.
6. One part the children might find difficult is predicting the baking time. You could help them by setting a timer to their predicted time, pulling out the baked item and asking them if it seems done or what they think should be done next.
7. Another day, pick a recipe from a cookbook, read it with the children and follow the steps to bake the product.More to doDramatic play: Provide play utensils for cooking and baking in this center.Language: During circle time or other quiet indoor play time, work on a book of recipes for your school and place it in the book room.Sand and water table: Water-table play can be used to experience and experiment with measuring cups and amounts (use words such as more, less, ingredient, liquid, solid, etc.) On a warm day, do this in a sandbox.
