Your Toddler Can Cook!

My two-year-old grandson loves to "cook" and does a mighty fine job of it! Of course, I am his "assistant," making sure everything is safe and within his ability to do. Cooking with toddlers can be challenging for parents and grandparents, but also rewarding. For the children, it can be both fun and educational. Based on my own experiences, I have compiled a few guidelines to help you get started cooking with your toddler.

1. Keep it simple. Toddlers have a short attention span and soon become disinterested no matter how much fun they are having. Decide on a simple recipe that you know your child will like and will not take overly long to prepare. Be mindful, too, as you think about what to make, of what foods the toddler can safely chew and swallow. Making cookies is something children love to do. My grandson and I recently made old-fashioned tea cakes together and enjoyed them with juice outside. He was delighted! Pizza is another favorite and easy to fix. (See links at the end of this article for a variety of recipes for tea cakes and easy pizza.)

2. Prepare ahead. Once you have decided what you will make, assemble all the ingredients and utensils while your toddler is napping or playing with toys. I wash fresh vegetables and fruit, and do any cutting or chopping before my grandson becomes involved in the cooking process. Place all the ingredients on a large work surface. I always use my kitchen table and my grandson sits strapped into a high chair as we cook.

3. Teach good hygiene habits. My grandson and I wash our hands together. I let him know that good cooks always wash first so germs do not get into the food and make us sick.

4. Let the child do the work. I generally do not pre-measure ingredients. My grandson does the measuring. For example, if flour is required, I allow him to scoop the flour from the canister and place it into the measuring cup. (Yes, this is a messy exercise, and you will most likely have to adjust the amount your toddler places in the cup or measuring spoon.) I then let him add each ingredient to the mixing bowl. (Yes, sometimes, he misses the bowl entirely!) But doing the actual work gives him the sense of ownership that you are trying to build through the cooking experience. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients and let the toddler help. (If you must use an electric mixer, make sure it is safely out of the toddler's reach.)

5. Teach "reading" and "math" as you cook. Read the recipe aloud as you go. You are modeling good reading skills and teaching the toddler the value of being able to read. I ask my grandson to point to and name the ingredients that we have on the table, thus encouraging vocabulary development. He is beginning to understand counting and I help him count the measuring spoons. I then ask him to show me the biggest one and the smallest one. Sometimes we sort the ingredients by color or other property.

6. Be vigilant. Toddlers are naturally curious and are known to place objects in their mouths that don't belong there. Make sure there is absolutely nothing on the table that is in any way unsafe should the toddler end up eating it! Once the food is ready to be cooked on the stove top or in the oven, place your child in another safe environment while you finish the cooking. (Toddlers should be nowhere near a stove while it is working. Oven door locks are a good thing to have as a safety precaution.)

7. Give lots of praise! Throughout the cooking experience give your toddler periodic "pats on the back" for doing a good job. Once the food is prepared and ready to eat, invite other family members and friends to sample your toddler's "creation"! Enjoy!

In conclusion, cooking with toddlers is, indeed, messy. But what's a little mess when the end result is a delicious dish that will nourish their little bodies with a healthy helping of fun and learning.

See these links:

Teacake recipes:http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-11,old+fashion+tea+cake+cookies,FF,html

Easy Pizza recipes for kids: http://www.thatsmyhome.com/recipes-for-kids/pizza-sticks.htm