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Baking Banana Bread
Cooking activities offer children opportunities to learn about simple tools. Here
is a tasty recipe that includes three simple machines—an egg beater, a potato
masher, and a flour sifter. Ask your child to describe what he is doing as he uses
the tools. Also discuss how the banana bread smells and tastes and notice how
the batter changes in color and texture as it turns into bread.
“Go Bananas” Banana Bread
3 bananas
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour (1 cup can be whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Invite your child to mash the bananas in a mixing bowl using a potato masher.
Use a crank style egg beater to beat the eggs in another bowl. (Or use an
electric beater as your child watches.) Add the sugar, eggs, and oil to the bananas
and mix together. Invite him to use the sifter to sift the flour, baking soda, and
salt together and add it to the banana mixture. Pour the batter into a greased
5 x 9 inch loaf pan and bake 55 – 60 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.
Throughout the day, frequently ask your child to describe what she sees and hears.
Practice identifying different smells during mealtimes.
Give your child opportunities to explore concepts like sinking and floating by letting
him experiment with different objects in the bathtub. Add turkey basters, funnels, and
different size cups as well.
When your child comes across something too heavy to carry, help him put it in a
wagon or other toy with wheels as an example of a “simple machine.”
Recycle paper and other products. Model ways to re-use items to avoid being wasteful.
Talk with your child about keeping the earth clean and healthy.
Children are curious about living creatures. They enjoy watching “bugs,” snails, spiders,
caterpillars, worms, butterflies, birds, and squirrels. Encourage questions and help find
the answers.
If you have a pet, let your child help take care of it.
If you have houseplants, let your child help take care of them. Be sure the plants are not
harmful if eaten and do not cause rashes if touched.