Sunday mornings at our house tend to start out slow. And one of our favorite ways to start the day is to make breakfast together, or set up a recipe so Raegan can bake independently while I sit back and relax with a cup of tea. This week we decided to put our ripened bananas to good use!

Banana Bread Muffin Recipe 

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1. I started by prepping her work while she was playing in the living room. I measured all the ingredients she needed into small prep bowls, sprayed the muffin pan with cooking spray, and preheated oven to 350 degrees.
2. I brought her small table into the kitchen so she could stand and work – a learning tower or table up to the counter would also work.
3. I made sure that she had all the tools and supplies she needed to be able to work as independently as possible. For this recipe, you will need a mixing spoon, masher and a spatula. I arranged her ingredients along with a mixing bowl on the table.
4. Now the fun starts! Make sure that the bananas get pealed and mashed first. If your child is just starting out in the kitchen, they will need some guidance through the process.
5. Raegan has been involved in food prep on a daily basis, so she knows her way around the kitchen pretty well. I let her work and try not to interrupt her concentration. Be prepared for a little bit of a mess, and that’s okay! You can start preparing the items your child will need to clean up the mess while they finish mixing the batter.
6. Once the child has distributed the batter into all the muffin cups, the adult should place the pan in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Now it is time for clean up! Have the child clean up their work before moving on to the next activity. If they aren’t as excited about this part, make it a group effort! Raegan even likes washing all the dishes.
8. By the time clean up is done, your muffins will be about done as well. Let cool and enjoy! We like to enjoy our baked goods with a good ole tea party!

Skills Learned Through Food Preparation

• Reality – We want children to see food in its most natural state. It’s important for them to learn where food comes from and the full process of making a meal.
• Coordinated Movements – Food preparation allows the child to practice different movements such as sifting flour, cracking eggs, slicing bananas or mashing an avocado. All of this practice helps the child refine their coordinated movements.
• Language – The child will not only learn the names of the food but also the verbs that are associated with what you are doing with the food. As part of this experience, the child will hopefully share the food that they prepare and can learn table manners and etiquette.
• Mathematical Concepts – They will learn about quantity and time. Recipes are made up of numbers and fractions that the child will see when adding in ingredients.

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