by Tracy Deluca

Created on: March 13, 2009

Toddlers in the kitchen can be a scary thought for many parents. But, the kitchen is a place full of wonderful smells, interesting equipment, new experiences and fascinating tastes for your toddler. Allowing you toddler to help cook is a great way to teach them and to get them to eat different foods. The most important thing to keep in mind when your toddler is helping you cook is to be patient and to never expect perfection!

Toddlers are easily capable of helping to measure ingredients, mix batter, cut butter, grate cheese, knead dough and endless other cooking activities. Allowing your toddler to feel the textures of different ingredients and see the changes that occur with mixing, kneading and cooking gives them great joy and also begins teaching them the basics of science.

When your ttoddler is helping you in the kitchen, make sure that all of your tools and equipment are safe and easy to use. Put aside your fancy food processors and mixers and get out the wooden spoons and metal or plastic mixing bowls. Have plastic measuring cups and non serrated butter knives for your toddler to use. Small paper cups are also useful for placing premeasured spices or ingredients in. Make sure your toddler understands that the hot stove and oven are not for them to touch. Keep all handles for pots and pans turned in so that no accidents occur. Use plastic, metal or disposable pans and containers as much as possible to avoid breakage. A special sponge or rag for your child to help with cleanup is also good to have!

Allow your toddler to help gather ingredients for your dish and talk to them about following recipes. Wash yours and your toddlers hands before starting to cook and after each messy step. Do any cutting with sharp knives away from your toddler or even before you allow them to begin helping. You can
premeasure spices into separate containers and allow your toddler to add each one or have them help you with the measuring. I allow my toddlers to add each ingredient to the mixing bowl after I have measured it. They love to watch each item get combined.

Plan ahead when allowing your toddler to help in the kitchen. Have several simple recipes on hand for them to help with. Some great dishes that toddlers will love to help cook are homemade pizza, cookies, fruit kabobs, 3 or 4 ingredient casseroles and sandwiches. My 3 year old loves to help peel potatoes and his 2 year old brother thinks it is wonderful to spread peanut butter on crackers using a plastic knife. The simplest tasks are the most fun for little chefs. Whenever I am cooking, both of my toddlers run to me and want to help. While their "help" sometimes makes my cooking chores take longer, we all have fun and they are learning great lessons at the same time!

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