Think safety -
Never leave a child alone in a kitchen:
Beware of hot stoves, hot oven doors, hot water at the sink,
sharp knives, sharp graters, breaking glass, and possible falls.
Use a sturdy stepstool instead of a chair or placing the child
on the countertop. Not only must you be aware, but you must
teach the child safety. Don’t just say “no.” Explain each safety
item.
Teach
sanitation as you go:
First kitchen lesson is always to wash your hands before
beginning and ending your work in the kitchen. (And possibly
in-between if handling animal products - meat, dairy and eggs or
possibly stopping to pet the dog or rub their face.)
Take the time
to teach organization:
Tell the child what you are preparing for the meal.
Ask them which task should be done first. This is teaching
critical thinking skills and logic. Talk with them about the
chores and which one you will do first. For example, explain
that since the chicken takes the longest to cook, you must do
that one first. We need to take the time to explain things which
are all a part of organizing a task.
Choose age
appropriate tasks:
A young child cannot make a whole salad but they can tear
lettuce. Decide what portion of that task they can do. For
example, with a step stool, they can stand at the sink and wash
the vegetables and rinse the lettuce. They can select the salad
dressings from the fridge. You can always find a way for them to
participate.
Try these
early tasks:
Cracking eggs, stirring ingredients, pouring in items, and
measuring. There is always something they can help with in any
meal.
Recipes for
the young:
If you are looking for ideas that they can help with from start
to finish, try slice and bake cookies, which can be cut with a
non-sharp or even plastic knife. Try things made with mixes or
fruit smoothies, if you control the blender. You can also offer
sandwiches they can build or mixes, dips and spreads which they
can eat with veggies or crackers.
Don’t expect
neatness:
Part of the calm in working with a child in the kitchen comes
from starting the project with the mindset that it won’t be
perfectly neat. Fill a sink with warm soapy water for them to
drop dirty dishes and spoons into. Place a large cookie sheet
with a rim under the bowl they are mixing. It will catch the
drips and splatters.
Praise and
have fun!
Kitchen work can be considered a chore, but why not make it be a
fun time with your child? If you sigh and grumble about
preparing dinner, they will mimic you and fuss that you are
making them “work.” But if you concentrate on talking about
their day, teaching a bit of organization and cooking, singing
along to some fun music, they will have very happy memories of
growing up cooking with you. As an adult, they will talk about
time with you in the warmth of that kitchen and the good food
and smells they remember. That is the lesson you really want to
evoke!
