So for Father’s Day, let’s inspire little decision-makers who can lend Dad a hand. Try out these simple ways to help kids practice making decisions during time in the kitchen.
1. Pick a Recipe
Present your child with a few recipe options or direct them to a few pages of a recipe book. Help them consider the pros and cons of each such as one being healthier but another being quicker. Then encourage them to consider these and make their choice. They will learn valuable evaluation skills and how to stick with a decision once they start baking!2. Select Special Ingredients
If you’re making cookies, let your child choose an add-in like nuts or peanut butter chips. If you’re making bread, let your child decide what to top it with. If you’ve run out of an ingredient, you can encourage your child to choose a replacement. For example, if you have no eggs, they can choose between using a banana or applesauce instead. When choosing ingredients, make sure your child considers how each will affect flavor and texture. This gets them thinking about consequences!3. Make Mixing Calls
When we mix ingredients, judgment plays a role in determining when enough is enough. Make it your child’s job to decide when batter looks mixed enough. Is everything combined? Could the batter use a bit more flour? Does it look like it may need a Tblsp of water or milk? While these decisions seem small, they can help your child build confidence and intuition skills.4. Choose Time Checks
Lots of times, kids want to check their desserts far before they’re ready, but this can interrupt baking. Help kids carefully decide when is the best time to check on their recipe and then decide when it is ready. Should they leave it in a bit longer? If so, when should they check again and what clues can they use to finally make the decision that what they made is ready?5. Decide on Decorations
There are endless decisions to make when it comes to decorating. Will there be a theme? Are we using icing? Sprinkles? One color? Four colors? Leave every decision up to the kiddos, and show them that they can trust their choices fully since there is no wrong way to decorate. This can show them that sometimes the best decisions require you to get creative!Yet, the best way for kids to learn about making decisions is by watching a role model like Dad!
So always be willing to explain why you made a decision and what you considered before deciding. Kids love learning how their amazing dads (and moms) do what they do!
Show Dad he’s out-of-this-world and give him a break
with this galactic no-bake kitchen adventure!
