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)

How to do it

  • 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. 

Using more te reo Māori

Pihikete Biscuit
Parāoa Bread
Miraka Milk
Pata Butter
Hēki Egg
Kōhua Pot
Koko, pune Spoon
Whāka Fork
Māripi 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?
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 are 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 Tane 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.
Ko Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei.  
Tūturu whakamaua kia tina; tina; kaumi-e, tāiki