But the call of those very tasks needing to be completed often drowns out our child's pleas. And, sadly our, child’s request, “Can I help, mommy?” doesn’t always meet with an enthusiastic, “Sure, sweetheart. Come on in and let’s work together.”
Shouldn't the kitchen be a place where our children feel comfortable to help out, ask questions, and learn about weighing and measuring, reading recipes, kitchen safety and the basics of cooking and baking, not to mention how to get their hands dirty and also how to clean up after themselves?
I try to resist the urge to plunk them down in front of a video every time they want to come into our kitchen to “help.”
Here are some ideas to get your children involved in the kitchen safely when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
To ensure tranquility between siblings, keep on hand several options available such as bubble liquid, dishwater with plastic dishes to wash, a large bowl filled with cornmeal and flour and some spoons and measuring cups, etc.
Here are some activity ideas to spark your imagination. You’ll establish your own unique traditions and discover ways to have fun with your children in kitchen once you start.
FUN WITH A CARROT
If you have a toddler, try to busy her with some plastic dishes and a funnel or sieve and a sponge at the sink filled with lukewarm dishwater. Then review basic kitchen safety with your preschooler and demonstrate how to peel a carrot, using a motion that peels the carrot away from the body. Then let her try it for a while. Take a paring knife and demonstrate how to use a cutting board and how to hold a knife properly. Discuss the concept of “whole.” This is a “whole” carrot. Cut it in halves, then quarters. Another time do this cutting the carrot into eights, sixteenths, and so on. Never walk away from the area where you and your children are working during an activity like this.
POPCORN PROJECTS
Place popcorn, butter, a large bowl and salt on the counter ahead of time. If you have an air popper, show how to measure the popcorn, place the bowl under the chute and add butter to the measuring cup to be melted. Talk about how the heat works to make the kernels pop and to melt the butter.
