Slicing Strawberries and Stirring Pancakes: Everyday Moments That Build Big Skills

angelitoswoodbridg
6 days ago
3 min read

As bilingual moms, we know that raising our little ones with more than one language is a beautiful challenge—full of small, meaningful moments that shape how they grow, learn, and connect. But did you know that these everyday moments—like helping in the kitchen—can do even more than build vocabulary? They can support your child’s physical development, too!

Take a look at this simple photo:

¡Qué lindo este niño! Here is a preschooler sitting at the table, focused on slicing a strawberry. It might look like just a cute moment, but there’s so much more going on behind the scenes!

Let’s break it down:

Crossing the midline: This means reaching across the body with one hand to work on the opposite side. It’s an important brain-body connection that supports writing, reading, and daily tasks. When your child holds the strawberry steady with one hand and slices with the other, they’re practicing just that!
Proper seating posture: Notice how the child’s knees are pointing forward, with elbows resting above the tabletop. Good posture helps support focus, endurance, and control during fine motor tasks. It’s easier to cut safely and stir steadily when the body is aligned.
Helper hand in action: We call it the “helper hand” (or, la mano ayudante) when one hand holds an item steady while the other does the work. This coordination is key for tasks like buttoning a shirt, drawing, or tying shoes.
Right amount of grip strength: Holding the strawberry gently but firmly while slicing shows just the right balance of strength and control. Developing this kind of grip helps with pencil holding and other activities like using utensils and zipping jackets.

More Than Just Slicing

Now let’s add the second part: mixing pancake batter. Stirring ingredients isn’t just messy fun (though we love that part too!)—it’s also a way to teach sequencing and problem solving.

What do we add first?
What happens if it’s too lumpy?
How do we hold the bowl steady while stirring?

These are big thinking tasks for a small child. And when you narrate to them in Spanish (or in both languages if you prefer)—like saying “Primero ponemos la harina / First we add the flour”—you’re supporting language development alongside motor planning.

Bilingual Bonus: Talking Through the Task

As you move through the recipe, talk it out en Español (or in both languages if Spanish is still kind of new to your hijo). You might say:

“¿Qué viene después? What comes next?”
“¿Está muy espeso o muy líquido? Is it too thick or too runny?”
“Vamos a mezclar despacio / Let’s mix slowly.”

By linking physical actions with rich vocabulary in Spanish or in both languages, you’re giving your child tools to express themselves, think critically, and move confidently.

Try It Today!

Next time you’re slicing strawberries or making breakfast together, remember: it’s not just a chore—it’s a full-body, full-brain learning experience. These simple kitchen tasks are a playground for fine motor skills, language development, task sequencing, and problem solving.

So bring your little helper into the kitchen. Speak Spanish. Make a little mess. And enjoy these small but powerful moments that build strong, confident bilingual learners.