Cooking and Learning: A Great Combination!

"Not now, honey, Mommy's cooking dinner." If I had a dime for every time I said that! Parents are always looking for ways to spend quality time with their kids, yet often overlook one of the best places to do just that -- the kitchen! By getting your kids in the kitchen and cooking with you, you'll not only be spending some quality time together, you'll also be teaching and reinforcing basic preschool skills.

LISTENING
Read a recipe to your child, then ask him to tell you what to do first, second, or ask him to name as many ingredients as he can.

READING
Show your child the recipe as you read it, and have them help you sound out words.

INTRODUCE NEW THINGS
Does your child know how applesauce is made? Do they know why you put baking soda in a cake recipe? What makes water boil? The kitchen is a great "science lab"!

SHAPES, COLORS, AMOUNTS
What shape is an egg? An orange? What color is a banana? How many grapes does it take to fill up a cup?

MOTOR SKILLS
Spreading peanut butter onto a piece of bread is a great way to improve your little one's motor skills. Mixing cookie batter, mashing a potato and peeling an egg get your child working with his hands.

CREATIVITY
Ask your child, "What could we add to this recipe to make it more exciting?" Get their creative juices flowing. "What is a different topping we could use on this pizza?"

SAFETY AND HYGEINE
The kitchen is a great place to reinforce and teach safety and hygiene. Why do we wash our hands? Do we handle knives? Why don't electricity and water mix?

Here is a fun recipe to make with your kids!

Ladybug Cookies

1 cup vanilla frosting
½ cup vanilla baking chips
Red food coloring
1 package (10.5 ounces) chocolate covered marshmallow cookies
12 black gumdrops
3 long pieces of black licorice

Melt the frosting and vanilla chips in the microwave until smooth. Add food coloring to make it red. Spread the frosting over the cookies to cover completely. Place on waxed paper. For head, stick a gumdrop on front of the cookie. Take two small pieces of the licorice and make "antennas." Cut six more strips of the licorice and attach for "legs." Repeat until all the ladybugs are done. Take the remaining licorice and cut into small pieces - use as the ladybug's spots.

NOTE: If you will be moving the ladybug cookies, you can attach the head (black gumdrop) with a toothpick.

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