Baking | Tākai

Baking is not only fun but an excellent opportunity for your child to learn.

Why do it?

To teach your child the importance of following a sequence of instructions.
The a fun opportunity to observe transformations e.g. dry ingredients are made wet, and wet things become solid when cooked.
A chance for you child to make a contribution and give pleasure to the whānau.
Baking is a great all-round learning opportunity too:
- weigh and measure ingredients (maths)
- mix and cook things (science)
- time the cooking (maths)
- follow a recipe, modelled by the adult (literacy)

Choose a simple recipe. Edmond's has a great recipe for ANZAC biscuits(external link) and lots of other easy recipes available for free online.
You could also try getting kids recipe books out from your local library.
Let the child help you to get out the ingredients and other kitchen tools you might need for baking, such as measuring spoons and cups, and baking trays.
The adult needs to take the lead, especially in everything to do with the oven. You want this to be fun learning not sad burning!
Help them measure, stir and roll mixture into balls, before putting the biscuit mix onto the oven trays. Then they can fork the balls flat.
You can talk about what you’re doing and what they’re doing and where the biscuits are up to as you go.
If your oven has a window and a light, show them what’s happening along the way.

Te reo Māori	English
Pihikete	Biscuit
Parāoa	Bread
Miraka	Milk
Pata	Butter
Hēki	Egg
Kōhua	Pot
Pune	Spoon
Whāka	Fork
Naihi	Knife
Kumete	Bowl
Rākau pokepoke	Rolling pin
Tunu	Bake
Umu	Oven
Wera	Hot
He tino pai tō mahi	Well done
Āta titiro	Watch carefully
Pokepoke	Knead
Kei te pokepoke parāoa a Pāpā	Dad is kneading the bread
Ūkui-horoi	Dishcloth
Puoto	Sink
Māku e mahi ngā kai	I'll make some food
E hiakai ana koe?	Are you hungry?
He aha te kai e hiahia ana koe?	What would you like to eat?
He inu wai māu?	Do you want a drink of water?
Kia tika te noho, e te tau	Sit properly, my darling
Kia ora rā	Thanks a lot
Purua ngā taputapu ki roto i te puoto	Put the dishes in the sink
Kino kē koe e te tau!	You're awesome my darling!
Karakia kai	Thanks for food
Nau mai e ngā hua o te wao,	I welcome the gifts from the sacred forests, from
O te ngakīnga, o te wai tai, o te wai Māori.	the cultivated gardens, from the sea, from the fresh waters.
Nā kai ō Tāne	The food of Tāne
Nā Rongo	of Rongo,
Nā Tangaroa	of Tangaroa,
Nā Maru	of Maru
Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei,	I acknowledge Ranginui who is above me and Papatūānuku who lies beneath me. Let this be my commitment to them all.