Personality Cookies

[60 Minutes]

Your child will feel extra special as he bakes "people" cookies that can be decorated to look like him or family and friends.

You'll need:

• refrigerated sugar cookie dough • gingerbread man cookie cutter • cookie sheet • food coloring • frosting and candy decors to decorate • plastic knife to frost

What to do:

1. Help your child roll out the dough and cut with a gingerbread cutter, or roll into snakes of dough and use them to form cookie children.
2. Bake as directed on the package if the dough is store-bought or as directed in your recipe.
3. Encourage him to name the cookies and decorate them to look like himself.

How to use:

1. Make cookies to look like other members of the family too. Don't forget the family pets; use animal cookie cutters.
2. Recite a fingerplay as you bake:

   I have ten fingers and ten little toes, (hold up)
   Two little arms and one button nose. (raise arms)
   One cute mouth and two little ears. (point)
   Two little eyes for smiles and tears. (smile)
   One little head and two little feet. (shake)
   One special grin, that's ME, I'm complete! (hold arms up)

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• How did you decorate the cookies to look like yourself?
• Do the cookies make you feel happy? Why?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is developing small muscle skills, eye/hand coordination, and body awareness. This activity also promotes creativity.