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Kitchen Fun for You And Your Kids

by Evelyn Petersen

The kids/kitchen combo is not necessarily messy, and it's well worth the effort in terms of children's enjoyable learning. If they're unsupervised it is neither be wise or safe, but if you PLAN their involvement, there are many "unmessy" ways for them to help and to learn.
Think about the time it would save if they just snapped green beans or husked corn, even if you have to take off the corn silk. Children can also save you time by scrubbing raw vegetables, and they do it with zest and pride. 4 and 5 year olds can also pit cherries with a tool or hairpin. (Grandma's rule: If you want pie you have to pit.)

Children will learn good hygiene with your modeling and reminders to wash hands before they "cook". They will learn safety when you show them the proper way to use a potato peeler, or a safe knife to cut up vegetables. Make the first cut of rounded fruits or vegetables on the bread board yourself. Then children can hold the item securely, flat side down, for other cuts.

Cooking with adult guidance is one of the best ways for children to develop thinking skills. They practice estimating, measuring and counting; they make comparisons and develop conceptual skills about categories, changes, and cause and effect. They notice and talk about the smells, colors and shapes of foods.

If you let them help make healthy snacks, soups and stews, they will learn about good foods for their teeth and bodies. A bonus...kids almost always EAT what they help make. Let them help prepare foods from whole grain breads, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

Letting children help in the kitchen also gives them a way to contribute to the family, an important family value! Your children will learn what foods you prepare for special days and family events. This helps them appreciate your own family traditions, and gives you a way to introduce them to the traditions or cultures of others.

Ms. Petersen's nationally syndicated parenting column is carried in over 200 newspapers twice each week. As a family/parenting consultant, early childhood educator, Head Start consultant, and host of a series of parent training audio and video tapes, Ms. Petersen employs an approach of providing hands-on, nuts and bolts advice to parents across the country. Her new book "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Planning: The What Why and How of Lesson Plans" has just been released.

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