Locate a simple recipe that includes specific measurements such as cups, teaspoons or ounces. Vague terms such as "pinch" or "dash" may confuse children. For young children, rewrite the recipe to spell out abbreviations for measurements.
Show children a measuring cup, an ounce scale and a set of measuring spoons. Allow the children to compare the sizes and volumes of the measuring tools by stacking them.
Tell your child to read aloud the list of ingredients. As specific amounts are introduced, have children find the appropriate-sized measuring cups or spoons.
Show children that food packages list the weight or volume of the contents. For additional measuring practice, have children measure these ingredients as the recipe calls for them, rather than relying on the measurements provided by the manufacturer. For example, if the recipe calls for 8 oz. of chocolate chips, have children measure 8 oz. using a scale rather than simply pouring in the entire bag.
Let the children measure out the ingredients as you follow the recipe. Young children can match the measurement term in the recipe to the words and numbers printed on the measuring cups or ounce scale. Encourage children to read the amount aloud before adding the ingredient so that you can verify the accuracy of the measurement.
Remind children to level off a measuring cup, zero out the ounce scale and read liquid measurements on level with the cup rather than at an angle from above.
Adapt the recipe to make it more challenging for older children. They can convert measurements by referring to a conversion chart if necessary. Older children may also be able to double a recipe by mentally multiplying the ingredients times two and measuring the multiplied amount.