5 Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in the Kitchen
And having a toddler means she spends a lot of time in there with me.
Happily, she seems to really enjoy cooking, and if I suggest that we make something, she's usually very enthusiastic. Of course, she wants to be as involved as possible and I've been surprised how able she really is.
Related: 6 everyday items my baby finds fascinating
Here are some of the things I've learned about having a very small helper in the kitchen.
1. Let them see everything you're doing
Make sure you put your child somewhere they can see. Whether that's on a stool, sitting on the counter, doing most of your prep at the kitchen table, or with their highchair pushed up to the workspace, most children are going to be happiest the closer they are to the action.
Related: 5 meal-planning tips for busy moms
2. Let them push the buttons
My daughter loves to push the buttons on the blender, turn the KitchenAid on and off, or set a timer.
3. Let them help where they can (then they'll be a LOT more patient during the adult tasks)
I measure things, Ella pours them into the bowl. She washes things, I cut things. She knows from experience that I'll let her have a turn doing things, so she doesn't put up too much of a fuss about the things I don't let her do yet.
Related: 10 ways to raise a non-picky eater
4. Let them try new skills
A couple of weeks ago, Ella asked to crack an egg into the bowl. I was a little nervous that we'd have a gigantic mess, but I demonstrated how to do it and she very carefully imitated me. A bit of eggshell may have ended up in the bowl, but every time since, she's become a little more adept.
5. Let them taste stuff
Ella loves to have a little taste of flour (I know. . .weird), and a tiny bit of biscuit dough makes her lose her mind with happiness. My husband taught me that tasting is the best part of cooking - I'm not a taster, so I had no idea!
- By Janssen Bradshaw
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