| u have a picky eater? Are you looking for a new | | | | the kitchen and up to their elbows in dough, you |
| way to spend quality time with the children? It is | | | | will hardly have time to do anything other than |
| proven that kids eat better when they are | | | | instruct and watch closely. Instead of scrambling |
| involved in food preparation. Even the youngest | | | | for things once you get started, plan ahead of |
| children can be a part of the experience. Have | | | | time by setting up all of the needed ingredients, |
| smaller children choose between several | | | | measuring tools, pots, pans and cleaning supplies. |
| ingredients. If you are having guests over, or if | | | | This will allow you to concentrate on the kids |
| you are planning ahead for a special occasion, get | | | | instead of looking for that tiny bottle of vanilla |
| the kids involved in planning out the meal courses. | | | | extract. Make sure the recipes you select are |
| It is almost a guarantee that you will get many | | | | suitable for your child’s age and ability. |
| creative ideas and plenty of giggles. Let the | | | | The rules are golden. Before undertaking any food |
| children take care of easy side dishes and dessert | | | | recipe. children should be well aware of their |
| details. | | | | boundaries. The kitchen is full of hazards, and no |
| Childhood passes by quickly, and as a parent you | | | | cooking project should be undertaken until the |
| will soon find yourself hoisting the kids off to | | | | rules are clear and understood. Hidden dangers |
| college or other life adventures. Take advantage | | | | such as droplets of searing oil from a hot skillet |
| of the time you have now to teach the young | | | | should be taken into account. Knives and other |
| ones a love for the kitchen and healthy home | | | | sharp objects should not be handled by small or |
| cooking. Being proficient cooks can be a great | | | | inexperienced children. Start them off with cutting |
| way to boost self confidence. Your | | | | eggs or tofu with a plastic knife. |
| encouragement and words of support are | | | | Mom’s Bakery. Kids love sweets, and |
| incredibly important for your child’s | | | | they will love learning how it is all put together. |
| development. | | | | There are many simple cake and pie recipes that |
| Math Skills | | | | are suitable for young ages. Your kids will have |
| Take those fractions off the page and into the | | | | plenty of opportunity to get creative with |
| real world. Measuring ingredients can work | | | | decorating their own treats. From frosting designs |
| wonders to hone those math skills. Measure | | | | on cupcakes to making their own ginger bread |
| ingredients together with the kids and teach | | | | house, baking desserts can bring out the artist in |
| fractions and conversion as you go. Sometimes | | | | any child. |
| visualizing what is so abstract on paper can make | | | | Including children in the cooking process is a |
| all the difference. Your children will hardly notice | | | | wonderful way to bond and spend quality time |
| they are doing math! | | | | together. You can instill your little ones with a love |
| Setting up the cooking zone. Once the kids are in | | | | for the culinary arts that will last a lifetime! |