Blog from Cheshire Franchise
We’ve all seen the Insta posts of #supermums making perfect gingerbread biscuits with their cherubic children while we’re up to our eyeballs in card writing, costume making and trying to hunt out the message that says what cash, jumper or red nose we have to send the children into school with tomorrow.
It is undisputable, for parents of primary school children, the lead-up to Christmas is the busiest time of the year. But it is also the most magical.
We might be rushing to the shops at midnight to buy a last-minute card for the teacher, stuffing presents into the wardrobe and hoping nobody will either injure themselves or ruin Christmas next time they open the door, and cramming as many boxes of Quality Streets into our shopping basket for fear they might run out before Christmas Day.
However, that’s exactly why it is important to take away the extra, unnecessary stresses of the festive season and do something wholesome with your little ones instead.
And one of the best things you can do this Christmas, for both your children and yourself, is bake with them.
#Makingmemories
I know it sounds like the least relaxing thing to do during the next couple of whirlwind weeks, but hear me out.
Baking at Christmas can provide parents with an opportunity to have one-to-one time with their children, so they can forget about all the silly little things that don’t really matter.
Your children won’t remember if the Elves pooped chocolate spread on toast, but they will remember laughing at getting flour on their face as they bake some cookies with you.
This quality time is important, particularly during the hectic season, as kids would much rather have fun with you than sit in front of a film while you’re panicking about bows and ribbons.
Your experience doesn’t need to look perfect, however, and you don’t need to post on socials for it to mean something. You can make memories just for yourself and even start a new family tradition that will keep going for years.
Brings together all generations
Another reason why baking is so good at Christmas is that this is the time of the year lots of family members get together, including different generations.
Baking is an activity everyone of all ages can enjoy, whether you’re 18 months old and just want to lick the bowl or 88 and want to pass on some of your family recipes to the youngest relatives.
It is a lovely activity to do with all the kids and helps bond grandparents with their grandchildren.
Supporting education during the holidays
Nobody wants to do homework over the Christmas break, but it is still important to keep up with learning when the children are not at school.
The great thing is that cooking can do this, as it reinforces many important skills. For instance, children can practice their counting, measuring, fractions, dividing, and multiplying, helping to boost their maths for the next term.
It also helps with literacy by having to read the recipes and understand the instructions.
At the same time, there is the opportunity to teach some science by watching the changes of state that occur when some ingredients are mixed together or heated.
Sensory integration
Many children find the Christmas break difficult, whether they have to cope with lots more visitors; they stay at home more than usual and build up an excess of physical energy; they eat too much sugar and feel on edge; or they go to bed late and get grouchy.
The constant music, colours, presents and people can also be overwhelming, which is why it is important to find ways to chill out.
Sensory play is a great way to do this as it helps with emotional regulation.
Sense Sensational Kids explains that activities that involve using our senses, such as water or sand play, give children more control in uncomfortable situations. It is also repetitive, predictable and enables them to express their emotions.
For instance, kneading bread dough allows them to squish and squeeze their anger or frustration out, while sifting flour can induce feelings of calmness.
“By engaging in sensory activities, children can explore and identify what helps them feel calm or what might make them feel anxious,” it states.
Therefore, handling cookie mixes, getting fingers sticky, pouring milk and rolling pastry can all help children to regulate their emotions over the season, which is definitely worth the mess!
Encourages healthier food habits
Yes, you might just bake mince pies with your kids, but if you get them interested in cooking, they may also want to get involved in preparing Christmas dinner with you.
In this case, you could find they are more likely to eat their veg on Christmas Day.
This is because children get a sense of pride when cooking or baking and, therefore, want to try some of what they made, even if they would normally turn their noses up at it.
Therefore, cooking with your kids at Christmas can really encourage them to adopt healthier food habits over the holiday, so they’re not just consuming chocolates and biscuits, but other festive dishes too.
Of course, cooking also teaches children patience, fine motor skills and listening to instructions, all of which are important to survive the Christmas holidays. So, if you want to find out more about children’s cooking classes in Cheshire & Greater Manchester, get in touch today.