This document discusses how baking a cake can be used as a learning opportunity to develop various skills in children. It describes how baking can help develop reading and writing skills through reading recipes and instructions. It also helps develop fine motor skills through actions like stirring and whisking. Mathematical skills like measurement, estimation, and understanding fractions are practiced. Scientific questions can be asked about the chemical processes involved. Additionally, life skills such as cooking, budgeting, decision making, and teamwork are developed through a collaborative baking experience.

1. Let‘s bake a cake !

2. Baking – a learning opportunity
Langua
ge
What
can it
teach?
Math
Science
Motor
skills
Inter-personal
skills
Life
skills

3. Reading and Writing skills
Reading and writing skills are developed by:
 Reading a writing the recipe
 Reading the package labels
 Reading instructions to follow
 Following sequential directions

4. Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are developed through :
Stirring
Measuring
Whisking
Rolling
Kneeding
Cutting

5. Mathematical skills
Mathematical skills are learnt through :
 Measurement of ingredients
 Estimation
 Proportions and fractions
How
much?
Double, triple,
half, one –
fourth, one –
eighth…

6. Science
 Scientific enquiry and observation can happen
through questions like :
 Why does one need to beat the egg?
 What does the baking powder do to the mixture?
 What temperature is needed to bake?

7. Life skill
The following life skills are learnt through baking:
 Cooking
 Budgeting
 Decision making
 Shopping
 Comparison of prices
 Selection of ingredients

8. Interpersonal skill
 Learning team work
 Respecting different points of view
 Bonding
 Talking
 Knowing each other
 Distributing work in a fair manner
 Distributing the end product in a fair manner

9. Adapting
Instead of a cake, “Halwa”, “Idli”, “Bhel” or any other traditional
Indian item, may be cooked. Cooking these will involve
developing the same skills. Enjoy cooking and learning together!