Mini Chefs of Chicky & Olive
Mini Chefs of Chicky & Olive
Cooking with Toddlers & PreschoolersEngaging all senses.
via Giphy
Children are curious little beings in constant explorative mode. Allow them to step into the kitchen and show them that there is more than meets the eye. Let them listen to the sound of the batter mixer, watch the dough rise, smell freshly baked goods, taste the freshness and feel the springy texture that just came out of the oven. Knowing and understanding the process of how food gets on their plate would spark a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer those at the dinner table!
Experimenting with flavours.
via Giphy
We know that children and vegetables sometimes don’t go hand-in-hand, so bringing them into the kitchen for some cooking might just get our picky eaters to try new things! When they play a part in cooking it, they’ll most likely want to taste it and this is where we can slowly introduce different ingredients and spices, and explain to them how healthy food aids in body growth. They’ll be proud and excited to see the end product and inclined to taste it once you’ve emphasised how yummy it looks!
Establishing basic skills.
via Giphy
When your children help you prepare meals, they are also indirectly engaging in conversations that tap on their mathematical minds and literacy skills. You can help hone those skills by letting them try simple things such as counting eggs, scooping flour into measuring cups or reading a new recipe out loud, introducing new words to their vocabulary. The kitchen might get messy but your kids will be developing their counting, measuring, language and spatial reasoning skills!
Encouraging confidence.
via Giphy
Children put in copious effort in what they do to gain a sense of accomplishment. Although their contribution might not be five-star, let’s still give them an ‘A for Effort’. Be it mixing the batter, assembling the pizza or lining up the cookies, let them know that their help was important. Bonus confidence boost: Praise your child, name the dish or drink after them (ex: Tom’s Pizza or Ellen’s Smoothie) and they would be over the moon about it!
It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work, but with the right expectations, your time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.
Mini Chefs of Chicky & Olive
Cooking with Toddlers & PreschoolersEngaging all senses.
via Giphy
Children are curious little beings in constant explorative mode. Allow them to step into the kitchen and show them that there is more than meets the eye. Let them listen to the sound of the batter mixer, watch the dough rise, smell freshly baked goods, taste the freshness and feel the springy texture that just came out of the oven. Knowing and understanding the process of how food gets on their plate would spark a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer those at the dinner table!
Experimenting with flavours.
via Giphy
We know that children and vegetables sometimes don’t go hand-in-hand, so bringing them into the kitchen for some cooking might just get our picky eaters to try new things! When they play a part in cooking it, they’ll most likely want to taste it and this is where we can slowly introduce different ingredients and spices, and explain to them how healthy food aids in body growth. They’ll be proud and excited to see the end product and inclined to taste it once you’ve emphasised how yummy it looks!
Establishing basic skills.
via Giphy
When your children help you prepare meals, they are also indirectly engaging in conversations that tap on their mathematical minds and literacy skills. You can help hone those skills by letting them try simple things such as counting eggs, scooping flour into measuring cups or reading a new recipe out loud, introducing new words to their vocabulary. The kitchen might get messy but your kids will be developing their counting, measuring, language and spatial reasoning skills!
Encouraging confidence.
via Giphy
Children put in copious effort in what they do to gain a sense of accomplishment. Although their contribution might not be five-star, let’s still give them an ‘A for Effort’. Be it mixing the batter, assembling the pizza or lining up the cookies, let them know that their help was important. Bonus confidence boost: Praise your child, name the dish or drink after them (ex: Tom’s Pizza or Ellen’s Smoothie) and they would be over the moon about it!
It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work, but with the right expectations, your time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.
Mini Chefs of Chicky & Olive
Cooking with Toddlers & PreschoolersEngaging all senses.
via Giphy
Children are curious little beings in constant explorative mode. Allow them to step into the kitchen and show them that there is more than meets the eye. Let them listen to the sound of the batter mixer, watch the dough rise, smell freshly baked goods, taste the freshness and feel the springy texture that just came out of the oven. Knowing and understanding the process of how food gets on their plate would spark a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer those at the dinner table!
Experimenting with flavours.
via Giphy
We know that children and vegetables sometimes don’t go hand-in-hand, so bringing them into the kitchen for some cooking might just get our picky eaters to try new things! When they play a part in cooking it, they’ll most likely want to taste it and this is where we can slowly introduce different ingredients and spices, and explain to them how healthy food aids in body growth. They’ll be proud and excited to see the end product and inclined to taste it once you’ve emphasised how yummy it looks!
Establishing basic skills.
via Giphy
When your children help you prepare meals, they are also indirectly engaging in conversations that tap on their mathematical minds and literacy skills. You can help hone those skills by letting them try simple things such as counting eggs, scooping flour into measuring cups or reading a new recipe out loud, introducing new words to their vocabulary. The kitchen might get messy but your kids will be developing their counting, measuring, language and spatial reasoning skills!
Encouraging confidence.
via Giphy
Children put in copious effort in what they do to gain a sense of accomplishment. Although their contribution might not be five-star, let’s still give them an ‘A for Effort’. Be it mixing the batter, assembling the pizza or lining up the cookies, let them know that their help was important. Bonus confidence boost: Praise your child, name the dish or drink after them (ex: Tom’s Pizza or Ellen’s Smoothie) and they would be over the moon about it!
It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work, but with the right expectations, your time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.
Mini Chefs of Chicky & Olive
Cooking with Toddlers & PreschoolersEngaging all senses.
via Giphy
Children are curious little beings in constant explorative mode. Allow them to step into the kitchen and show them that there is more than meets the eye. Let them listen to the sound of the batter mixer, watch the dough rise, smell freshly baked goods, taste the freshness and feel the springy texture that just came out of the oven. Knowing and understanding the process of how food gets on their plate would spark a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer those at the dinner table!
Experimenting with flavours.
via Giphy
We know that children and vegetables sometimes don’t go hand-in-hand, so bringing them into the kitchen for some cooking might just get our picky eaters to try new things! When they play a part in cooking it, they’ll most likely want to taste it and this is where we can slowly introduce different ingredients and spices, and explain to them how healthy food aids in body growth. They’ll be proud and excited to see the end product and inclined to taste it once you’ve emphasised how yummy it looks!
Establishing basic skills.
via Giphy
When your children help you prepare meals, they are also indirectly engaging in conversations that tap on their mathematical minds and literacy skills. You can help hone those skills by letting them try simple things such as counting eggs, scooping flour into measuring cups or reading a new recipe out loud, introducing new words to their vocabulary. The kitchen might get messy but your kids will be developing their counting, measuring, language and spatial reasoning skills!
Encouraging confidence.
via Giphy
Children put in copious effort in what they do to gain a sense of accomplishment. Although their contribution might not be five-star, let’s still give them an ‘A for Effort’. Be it mixing the batter, assembling the pizza or lining up the cookies, let them know that their help was important. Bonus confidence boost: Praise your child, name the dish or drink after them (ex: Tom’s Pizza or Ellen’s Smoothie) and they would be over the moon about it!
It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work, but with the right expectations, your time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.