To cook is one of the most essential of life skill’s everyone should learn before they spread their wings and flap away from the nest. It is guaranteed that if you are a parent, you have turned away little hands running to help in the kitchen. At times it can be frustrating and even anxiety-inducing to have little ones in the kitchen when meal prep or baking is going on. Keep in mind that kids are little scientists and that to learn how things work, they may have to break something or make a mess to move forward. Consider this, a small child is rummaging in the refrigerator, pulls out an egg and Mom quickly yells, “Put that back, you might break it!”. While the need to have an orderly home is entirely understandable, an experiment in material strength has been muted. Let your kids make a mess in the kitchen with you, loosen up and have some fun with it!
Say Yes To The Mess
Messes are going to happen in the kitchen when kids are around, that is mostly unavoidable, But there are easy ways to control the chaos rather than embrace it and have a massive mess on your hands. For keeping counters and tables clean, have a trash bowl ready. If there is a lot of powdery, dry ingredients involved, such as flour or sugar, Take some painters tape, and make a small square on the floor. Have your child grab a broom and make clean up into a game! With a visual spot to sweep debris into, little ones have an easier time understanding how to sweep up the mess best.
Safety First!
Allowing children into the kitchen to help the family with cooking can be a unique bonding moment, and there are a lot more things that they can help with than you may realize but it is the responsibility of the parent to keep everything safe. Small children should always be taught of the dangers of the kitchen. Little eyes watch our every move as we go about the things in our day that we find mundane, but they don’t always see the potential dangers of those activities. Teach younger tots about the simple things, The stove is hot, knives are sharp, I’m sure you get the drift. Allow them to watch you use them, but make sure they are observing at a safe distance. Older kids should be allowed a little more room for growth in the kitchen. Let them chop the onions, peel potatoes, crack eggs, etc. It is crucial for your child’s growth that their time with you in the kitchen is collaborative. Let them work with you and you with them. They will not only learn how to do the cooking and cleaning of the kitchen but also how to work with others and listen to instructions.
Overall keep it fun, keep it simple, and embrace the chaos that you are bound to bump into on occasion, especially if you have toddlers who enjoy helping in the kitchen.