- Kelly
- Feb 21, 2020
- 2 min read
Involving our kids in cooking has real benefits, especially when it comes to planting seeds for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Not only do we model and teach food prep and cooking skills, but we also expose our little ones to nutritious ingredients and health promoting processes in an engaging and fun way. Learning new foods (like learning to read) is a process and the unfamiliar can be scary. But touching, smelling, playing and interacting with these foods can increase their familiarity and decrease fear when they show up at mealtime.
It may not occur to us, but toddlers can totally get an early start in the kitchen!
Yes, dinner time can be hectic and the idea of handing over cooking tasks to our little ones that time of day may seem crazy and like working backwards in the moment. But these jobs don't have to be complicated. Keeping it simple is key! Tasks like tearing leafy greens, separating herb leaves from the stems, or husking corn can keep the youngest of kids busy while the adult(s) take care of the rest of a meal.
Safety is of course top of mind so make sure your toddler has a safe space to interact with the food. A high chair at the counter, a low and sturdy stool, or a kitchen tower is great. Even the floor covered with a splat mat does the trick! Be sure the foods they're interacting with are not choking hazards (for a list and further info by age, see here). And of course keep a close and watchful eye when they're little ... as with anything!
With that in mind, here are 4 simple kitchen tasks for your toddler aged children (and up!):
TEARING
Leafy greens like kale or romaine.
Herbs like sage, rosemary, basil.
TRANSFERRING
Veggies from a cutting board or mat to a cookie tray.
Rinsed canned black beans from a colander to a bowl.
*Note since raw carrots can be a choking hazard, I watched carefully here to make sure she didn't go for a bite.
TOSSING
Veggies with oil.
Fruit with a citrus dressing.
SQUISHING
Avocados for guacamole.
Beans for a dip.
Which of these activities would your kiddos be into? I'd love to hear from you!