Ways to introduce your children to cooking in the kitchen. To Give tips on early projects and advanced projects for children ages 5 to 8.
Do you have curious children that want to help you in the kitchen? You want to promote this desire in your kids at a young age. Why? It teaches them a valuable lessons about kitchen safety, creativity, math, and patience. Depending on the meal you and your child create together, at least one or all those lessons above pointed out above will come into play. Still unsure about letting your 5 year old handle a spatula? Well there is a right way and a wrong way to get your little one ready for culinary class. Your 8 year old burns things in the toaster! There are other things he/she can do and not set off the fire alarm in the house.
Tools For Young Chefs: MICROWAVE, TOASTER OVER, WAFFLE MAKER, BLENDER, PLENTY OF APRONS.
Tools for Semi Advanced Chefs: MICROWAVE, ELECTRIC FRYING PAN, WAFFLE MAKER, BREAD MAKER, STOVE.
*Notice that the "Microwave" is listed first. It is always the quickest way for cooking, but remember, some things you just can't teach in the microwave.
I will begin with the young chefs. They want to madly help in preparing meals with mom or dad. The really complicated dishes like pasta salads or veggie soups look fun to the little ones. They want to cut, too. Let them! Butter Knives cut boiled eggs, mushrooms, olives, bananas, and if you are into a fun mess...Jello. Real knives, even to let them cut, can be ok within your sight, but outside of your sight, it can be dangerous. Set aside a special butter knife just for them. When baking, we especially see our children in the kitchen with us. Either to lick the bowl or to jump up and down and flatten a raising cake or bread loaf. This is a good time to show them the effort in hand stirring or hand folding bread since you may usually use a hand mixer or professional bread mixer, let the little ones endure the work it takes to make the goodies. In the event of frying foods your little ones want to see why and where the noise is coming from. I have a safer way to explain how the process cooks.
Assignment 1: Take 1 cup of water and put it into a microwave safe bowl. Take one egg and beat it in another smaller bowl. Place water in microwave and cook it on high. Let your child see the water as it begins to boil. Explain the similarities of hot oil to hot water. Then remove water. Now comes the egg. Pour some egg in the water. Explain how the hot water will cook the egg. At this point, depending on how hot the water is, some of the egg will cook a bit, but if not, place egg and water back in the microwave. Cook again until it boils. Now....use a fork to pull out some of the cooked egg and have your little one taste it. Now this explains frying in oil.. ( This is also a beginning step for the Asian soup called "Egg Drop" soup. )
For the event of fast cooking, your younger children can fully help. They will also learn numbers, seconds, minutes, and hours. Try cooking meals ahead of time and freezing them on paper plates for those nights you just don't want to cook. Have them grab a meal to eat and you dictate the time or minutes you want them to put on the microwave. It's a worry off of you and food in their bellies that night.
For the semi advanced chefs, cooking in the kitchen can be a ride on a roller coaster. Every time you turn around, there is something burning or you are not sure what's been added to the bowl of cereal that is given to you. Try having them taste what they created first. It shows them what goes good together and what may not. Suggest a weekly dish made on the stove. Fried bologna sandwiches or grilled cheese sandwiches are a great task. Have them boil water to make noodles or hotdogs. Try even a hand at making a fresh salad. And scrambled eggs is a test of strength. The goal is to not eat egg shells. Next you may want to have your child's hand in helping bake cupcakes. Have them do as much as they can except when placing the cake pan in the oven and taking it out. For child chefs who need to understand the concept that 2 cups of water does not go into a small bowl that accepts ½ cup of water, try this below:
Assignment 2: Water play is great, especially when learning to "eye" measurements. Break out as many size mixing bowls and cups as you can. Have measuring cups on hand, too. You may want to do this in the tub or kitchen sink. Things eyed may look like they fit but mathematically it ends up running on the counter top. Explore through water play. How many cups can fit in a medium bowl or a large bowl? What is 2/3 and why isn't it on the measuring cup? How many ounces make 1 pint? You may learn something new doing this, too.
Cooking with children can be a fun experience. The main key is to have a open mind when it comes to creativity. All above information given is from personal experience. Please be advised to use caution while cooking with children in the kitchen. Accidents may or can happen. Enjoy !!
