Additional Needs

Baking in Lockdown

Posted by Rebecca Toal on 20th May 2020 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

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I don’t know about you, but we are all getting a bit stir-crazy in our house…

The weeks of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic have just seemed to go on and on.

My four daughters have been out of school since March 16th, almost 2 whole months now L

This is hard on us all in different ways.

My eldest daughter is 15 and she’s an independent and avid baker. Her favourite treats to bake are cookies and brownies J It’s been really sweet to see her taking her little sister with complex needs into the kitchen for some “baking time”.

She sits Brielle up at the kitchen table and gives her a wooden spoon to keep her busy whilst she gathers the ingredients. This tactile and sensory activity is SO good for Brielle as she stirs ingredients, feels the batter, counts muffin liners in the tin, investigate different textures and colours…

To date in lockdown, the girls have made choc chip cookies, almond-butter cookies, apple crumble, brownies, banana blueberry muffins, pumpkin spice muffins and molasses ginger cookies.

It’s really lovely as sometimes all four sisters will get involved.

I love seeing the smiles all around and them working towards a common goal despite their different abilities and personalities!

They are so gentle and patient with Brielle too. She absolutely adores her big sisters and loves being involved in EVERYTHING! I honestly wouldn’t know how I would keep her entertained and happy without the older girls!

Some tips I would suggest if you or your kids would like to get doing some baking in lockdown:

• Encourage your child’s creativity and consider what makes them the most excited and motivated? You could do some themed cookies or muffins if it’s a particular role model they adore.
• Work off your child’s tastes and preferences- do they love chocolate, or love bananas? These are so easy to incorporate into many treats! Make something they are likely to enjoy eating!
• Give your child support but also give them some autonomy and space while they are mixing, measuring, etc. Let them have fun in the process!
• Enlist the help of older siblings if possible. It can be a really special bonding time for siblings and also you may get the opportunity to take a cuppa & quiet few minutes for yourself!