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Nov. 15, 2005
Measurement and fractions
Having your young children help you in the kitchen is beneficial in so many ways...it far outweighs the drawbacks of 1) mess and 2) time it takes to get things done. You are training them to be an actual help to you and to be independent later in life, you are helping them see themselves as a valuable member of the family, you are sharing quality time working together, and their are numerous opportunities to teach academic skills, whether it be in science, reading, mathematics, etc.
This is an early lesson in fractions.
Principle: God is just.
Leading Idea: God expects us to be accurate in all we do.
Definitions:
A fraction is a part of a whole.
Scripture:
Pro 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S...
Reasoning:
When we measure accurately, we are following God's will. "Tipping the scale" to gain an advantage is the same as stealing and is against God's law. Luke 6:38 tells us: "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
This is applicable in all we do. We should never lie about age in order to get cheaper movie tickets or buffet prices. In cooking, measuring accurately gives us a better end product.
Activity:
Show common fractions, such 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4. Demonstrate how to read these fractions. In the beginning, I always say, "1 over 2, or one half, 1 over 3, or one third." Tell the child what it means (I say, "1 over 2 is a way to write one out of two equal parts") and demonstrate. Two halves make one whole. Three thirds make one whole. Four fourths make one whole. This does not have to be a long drawn out thing. I recommend just going over it so the child has some notion of what's going on, and make sure to use the vocabularly repeatedly while baking with your child. They do not have to have a complete understanding of fractions the first lesson.
Choose a simple recipe and allow your child to make it independently. Provide supervision and assistance where necessary, but let him read the recipe, assemble the ingredients and everything needed to make it. We do this a lot, and now my almost 7yo daughter can make muffins, pancakes, macaroni and cheese and similar items on her own (of course I help her with the cooking part.). And she knows what fractions represent.
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