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Cooking is a wonderful way to encourage the development of basic motor skills, coordination, and the importance of process. It offers an opportunity for mathematical learning, scientific method and the growth of language, culture and world knowledge. The most important thing as far as children are concerned however, is that it can be FUN.

I have found, most kids love to do what Mom or Dad are doing. Children are eager to grow up; five year old girls imagine being mommies; ten year old boys dream of being sports superstars. Kids want to be teenagers, teenagers want to be adults, and having the opportunity to be involved in tasks that are usually reserved for grown-ups is a novelty few would turn down.

OPPORTUNITY is the primary way to get kids involved with cooking. Even babies can be a part of the process depending on how messy you're willing to get when it comes to meal preparation. Older children can be given more responsible duties and involving them in the process is a fantastic way to encourage children to experiment with different foods. Most children will be eager to participate if you give them the opportunity.

It is easy to underestimate the capabilities of our kids so you may be surprised at how easily your own children take to the various roles in the kitchen. While most three year olds could be encouraged to mix on their own there are many other tasks they can learn to do independently that will boost their skills and their confidence. With supervision they could learn to identify the right tools (a 1/2 cup vs. a 1/4 cup) and measure the required amount. They can identify foods and gather materials needed.

Young, school aged children can practice reading the recipe and with supervision grate and peel vegetables and pour, place, or turn foods on a fry pan or electric portable cooker. Older school kids can use a knife, stir hot pots, handle saucepan lids, a hot oven and transfer hot food from a microwave or cook top. As a parent, you'll be the best to judge how capable your child is and watch how quickly they progress from one task to the next.

While children can be involved in cooking any kind of meal there are some they'll particularly love. I've included links to 5 recipes you can try it at home today!

Mini Pizza Faces
http://dreaskitchen.blogspot.c om/2006/01/mini-pizzas.html

Pea nut Butter Alligators
http://www.recipezaar.com/1446 26

Pikelets
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/C ookbook:Pikelet

Apple Muffins
http://southernfood.about.com/ od/muffinrecipes/r/bl30224j.ht m

Jack In The Box Tacos
http://www.hungrymonster.com/r ecipe-search.cfm?Course_vch=Ta cos&ttl=1&Recipe_id_int=34279

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Laffar-Smith.
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