Maths in Action

Cooking is a great life skill to begin teaching at an early age, but it can also link many mathematical concepts for younger children. Of course, they’ll also learn how to cook and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Show them what different fruits and vegetables look like and discuss how they’re grown and why they’re good for us.

By following easy recipes, children can achieve independence and create for a purpose.  Children love to show what they can do and cooking provides opportunities to gain a sense of accomplishment. Even if the end results are not exactly what you expected, praise their efforts.

Mrs Johnston and Penny show us how to make 
Rainbow Fudge

 

• Do some cooking – use a simple recipe and get the children to help measure out the ingredients. We have included some easy peasy recipes here that are all under £5 and would feed a family of 4.easy_peasy_cook_cards_lentil_soup
  easy_peasy_cook_cards_macaroni_cheese easy_peasy_cook_cards_banana_ice_cream easy_peasy_cook_cards_tomato_pasta
  Chicken_and_sweetcorn_pizza
  Ham_sushi_rolls_no_cook
  School_Chicken_Curry 0425__
  Greek_Salad_pitta_sandwich_no_cook

Links to Maths

• Time – time the children cooking, set timers for the water to boil or the dinner to be ready. Estimate how long the prep will take.
• Estimation – fill various containers with water and get the children to guess which holds the most, which the least etc. Use a measuring jug to record the volumes and reveal the results.
• Counting – saying one number for each object (e.g. when counting out ingredients and spoonfuls).
•  Sequence – remembering the pattern of the number sequence.
•  Number – understanding cardinality i.e. that the last number gives the total.
• Language – use everyday and mathematical language to describe size, weight and quantity (e.g. half, quarter, a little, a lot, heavy, light, kg etc.) Exposure to this language is great for young children, even if they do not yet understand it.
•  Weight – use scales to weigh out ingredients.