Pastry Project Tools

Making different types of dough is not only a great science experiment, it is also great for building touch-tactile processing, hand skills, coordination, hand strength and awareness. In addition the two recommended tools further increase fine motor skills, safety awareness, and creativity.

The textures, tastes, aromas, and temperatures experienced by preparing and eating food is a sensory experience that doesn’t just last in that “nutritional” moment – the sensory experiences can link to the emotions of the day and are powerful connections to our memories and emotional responses. Imagine when you smell something like the cookies your grandmother used to make, smell a cologne that your spouse wore on your wedding day, taste the fruits you ate at your first pool party, recreate your mom’s favorite recipe and serve it to your family – what do you feel, what do you remember?

Food preparation isn’t just a nutritional experience these activities unite families and friends, bridge generations, foster tradition, and learning. I love using recipes, adapting recipes (to kid friendly cooking), creating menus, presenting food, and decorating platters to build the skills of:

• Sensory processing and exploration
• Reading
• Writing and drawing (creating menus is a huge motivator)
• Kitchen tool use (utensils, can openers, whisks, spatulas, cutting boards, timers, mixers, etc. all with supervision and skill-age appropriate considerations).
• Safety awareness
• Executive functioning (planning, organization, problem solving, working memory, attention, time management, shifting focus – all the things necessary to get this accomplished)
• Fine motor skills
• Socialization