Child Chefs: What Imitative Kids Can Do in the Kitchen
March 23rd, 2009
By Heide Lynne Canlas
Is your child playing chef? Teach him to help with the kitchen chores and develop not only his cooking skills but his motor and cognitive skills as well.
Children, especially those in the pre-school years, are generally imitative. They are just about ready to do anything that they see the adults do. While parents and adults may at times find this quite annoying and distractive, even destructive at times, we must realize that this is a natural part of a child’s learning process and should not be discouraged.
We all know how toddlers are easily attracted by the noise that those shiny pots and pans make. Added with their natural desire to imitate the cooking adult, this makes the kitchen a very attractive play area for kids. However, in the absence of an adult, this can be very dangerous. This is one reason why it is a good idea to involve kids in kitchen chores. This teaches them that work and not play is done in the kitchen and that adult presence and supervision is necessary for them to create their next recipe.
So what is it exactly that a child can do in the kitchen?
Two-year olds are an active and curious lot. At this stage, they are beginning to use and control their muscles and maximize their motor skills. Allow them to help in the kitchen by letting them wash fruits and vegetables and tear leafy salad greens.
Three to four-year olds, on the other hand, can be allowed to mix batter, rub salt and spices on your chicken, knead dough, and spread butter on bread. At this age, they are learning to master hand muscle control.
Five year olds, moreover, can already be taught to use non-electric gadgets in the kitchen such as orange and lemon juicers and egg beaters. Allow them to beat the eggs as you prepare to cook your omelets or pancakes in the morning.
Having your kids in the kitchen need not be stressful. Remember that allowing your kids to help you in kitchen chores can aid in the development of their motor and cognitive skills. More importantly, this teaches important values such as industry and responsibility and aids in the development of that special bond between child and parent.
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