Child Chefs

TIPS TO GET KIDS COOKING IN THE KITCHEN

- Bryan M. Richards

As our son transitioned from a peaceful, napping baby into a gets-into-everything, mobile toddler, our family dinners transitioned from the highlight of our day to the most dreaded hour. We eventually threw our hands in the air and resorted to the one thing we vowed never to do as young parents — use the television to babysit while we cooked.

A neighbor suggested that we borrow their learning tower (an adjustable height kitchen step stool) and incorporate our son into our passion for food. While he wasn’t quite old enough to help, the ability to watch us kept him occupied until we were ready to sit down to dinner as a family.

The next night, as we started to prep dinner, we heard a scraping noise across the kitchen. Our son was pushing his learning tower into place so that he could help us cook dinner. Since then, he continues to join us in the kitchen while we’re cooking, and we are enjoying benefits that extend well beyond keeping his active body occupied.

MENTAL PREPARATION 

“There’s a lot of research that shows that teaching your kids to cook helps develop confidence and builds problem-solving skills,” says Sarah Schlichter, registered dietitian and blogger at Bucket List Tummy. “It also models balanced food choices.”

Ginger Cayson, owner and operator of Charlotte’s Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio, cautions not to be afraid of the mess that often follows kids in the kitchen. She admits it’s a struggle when her own three daughters help in the family kitchen.

“But the mess from cooking together is a lot less permanent than that from arts-and-crafts projects,” Cayson says.

Once you become OK with the fact that the kitchen might be a little messier than normal, let your kids help plan meals.