When baking, you'll need to measure out ingredients in cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. To make baking educational, talk your toddler through each measurement and help them count the number of teaspoons and tablespoons needed to create the recipe. This is a fantastic way to help your child master counting while enhancing their listening skills.

Children can be incredibly picky eaters, which can make meal and snack times at day care a struggle. Through the process of baking and trying new recipes, whether it's zucchini bread, bran muffins, oat bars, granola, or peanut butter cookies, you'll expand your child's palate. This can help make them a more adventurous eater who enjoys various flavors. 

Baking is a fun outlet for expression and creativity as well. From decorating cookies and frosting cupcakes to arranging pancake or pizza toppings, a baking project will allow your toddler to try their hand at artistic creations. Have plenty of different colored frostings, sprinkles, and toppings handy, so your child can create their very own edible masterpiece. 

Going into day care, the right attitude can help your child develop meaningful friendships and the self-esteem to participate and stay engaged with child care providers. By reading through a recipe, measuring ingredients, patiently waiting for items to bake, decorating, and trying their creations, you'll give your child a sense of accomplishment that can lead to more confidence.