How to develop mindfulness in your kids through baking? Keep reading and learn how to do it.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Baking is really rewarding as it gives us the opportunity to taste the benefits when something delicious we made comes out of the oven. However, apart from these materials, and tangible benefits, there are many undeniable ones with mindfulness and our well-being too.
Therefore, in this article, we will show how to develop mindfulness in your kids through baking. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Lean on your family tradition
Think about a family event that brings you together. Maybe it’s Hanukkah, Kurban Bajram, or the simplest dinner, it doesn’t matter. It is only important that you try to share the tradition with your kids and invite them into the kitchen.
Even some of the simplest dishes such as soups, pizza, baked potatoes, and pasta can teach your kids more about their heritage. For example, you can bake an easy banana cake or another dessert of your choice.
On the other hand, it will also encourage them to develop a deeper appreciation for what they are making and eating, which as a result can help them live more mindfully.
Create moments
It’s no secret that we live in hectic times, so creating mindful moments through baking is a great way to help your kids to slow down. For instance, you can talk about how fresh food looks when you take it out of the fridge and how it tastes when you bite into it. You can also perform a taste test and describe the flavors.
Take as much time as you need, also, be sure to use all your senses, and in the end, don’t forget to enjoy both the process and the results.
Get messy
A hands-on approach is an excellent method for developing mindfulness in your kids through baking. We suggest you put away all electric kitchen appliances and use your own hands to mix, fold, mix and whisk.
Based on research from 2016, it was determined that everyday creativity makes life more expansive and brighter. Accordingly, the hands-on approach, which in itself requires full concentration, encourages your children to slip into a more mindful state in no time.
Don’t forget to take a step back once they find their flow and step in when they need you.
Get to know the foods
Cooking together is a way to create a strong bond between you as a parent and your children. It gives you the opportunity to discuss nutrition and develop a more mindful approach to both cooking and eating.
Teach your kids to distinguish between those foods that are healthy, desirable, and useful for daily consumption and those that should be enjoyed in moderation or only occasionally as a treat.
Find the child hidden inside you
Are you one of those people who think that plates, bowls, and cups have only one role, and that is to serve food? Well, what would you do if we suggested you have some fun with them?
Make small, but unexpected changes such as putting ice cream on a plate and pancakes in a bowl. You can even use your favorite sauces or seasonings in order to create different designs and patterns, do whatever comes to mind.
Always look back
Finally, never forget to reflect on the cooking process once you’re done eating. Comment on the parts that went smoothly and try to find solutions for those that you feel need improvement.
Discuss all the ups and downs as this will encourage them to learn more about organization, patience, and self-love. Ultimately, we believe that this way you will improve the recipe itself.
To wrap up
Always remember that this process doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to use any particularly expensive or hard-to-find ingredients. The most important thing is to encourage your children to get involved in baking, to cook more mindfully than they usually would, and reap the fruits of their labor.
That’s it, now you know how to develop mindfulness in your kids through baking.
Author BIO
Karen Rutherford is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cheesecake’s World. You will often find her in the kitchen trying out some new recipes. As a pâtissière and baking enthusiast, Karen has decided to share her knowledge with the internet audience and provide the best tips and recipes for baking and decorating your favorite sweets.