Preschoolers in the Kitchen

My youngest is 3 years old and even now, she will follow me around the kitchen asking to help as I cook dinner at night (or breakfast, lunch). My boys are interesting in learning to cook too.

Ha ha! This is something I can encourage my children to do. Starting from an early age. So that when they are adults, they do not have to subsist on ramen, eggs and what ever take out or fast food is in the area.

So I try to get my children involved in cooking early. From the time they show an interest. It may just be a pot and a wooden spoon to bang as I flit about trying to get the chicken cooked when they are only 18 months old. But between the ages of 3 and 3 and a half, they are ready to start tackling a little bit more.

Necessary supplies for preschoolers in the kitchen:
1) a cheese spreader (similar to a knife but shorter and there is no blade that can cut little fingers, a cake decorating spatula can work as well)
2) soap and water (to teach them how to properly wash their hands when working with food)
3) food (well, that's a no-brainer)
4) a step stool with non-slip grips on the bottom

5) consistent adult supervision

Ideas for getting your preschooler to begin helping in the kitchen:

1) If you have to add something (a tsp of something here or a cup of something there), let your preschooler pour or add the item to your bowl (be very careful if what you are working with is hot, I recommend this for mixes that are still cool but will be heated later, i.e., pancakes or cookies, cakes or even crock pot recipes that haven't been heated yet).

2) Helping assemble sandwiches. Preschoolers can lay the bread out, place turkey and cheese on the bread, even spread mayo or mustard with a cheese spreader or small spatula.

3) Tasting is allowed. While cooking, you can give your preschooler a taste (make sure it is cooled sufficiently so there are no burned tongues or mouths) and ask their opinion on how it tastes.

4) When really busy in the kitchen, a small pot with 1/2 cup of cool water, 10-20 raw egg noodles, and a couple of drops of food coloring (of the child's choice) is a great distraction and a great way to teach proper stirring of things in pots (will help to prevent burns and accidents later on).

Some easy recipes for preschoolers with adult supervision:
(there are some dangerous appliances involved so adult supervision is required)

Berry-Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana

1 cup vanilla yogurt

3-4 ice cubes
1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries of choice (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are the favorites in our house)
a splash of milk (if mixture is too thick)

Help your preschooler slice the banana using a cheese spreader (or non-sharp spatula).


Let you preschooler pour or place all the ingredients into the blender. Make sure the lid is on nice and tight.


Blend for about a minute or until nice and creamy.


Pour and enjoy.

Makes about 2 smoothies.


Applesauce Toast

Ingredients:

2 slices of bread
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
cinnamon-sugar to taste


Show your preschooler how to put the toast into the toaster. Set toaster for medium darkness.


When it pops out, besides watching your preschooler's eyes pop with excitement, carefully place the toast on a plate.


Allow you preschooler to spread the applesauce on the toast with a cheese spreader or other non-sharp spatula.


Show how to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of the applesauce, maybe let your preschooler try.


Enjoy.


Makes 2 slices of toast.


Tortilla Pizza

Ingredients
2 "soft taco" size flour tortillas
1/4 cup pizza sauce
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
other toppings of child's choice (chopped peppers, onions, pepperoni, etc)


Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


Place the tortillas on a lightly greased cookie sheet (I use non-stick cooking spray).


Have your preschooler spread the sauce on the tortillas with a spoon.


Next have your preschooler sprinkle the cheese and other toppings over the sauce.


Carefully place the cookie sheet on the center rack of the oven (adults only). Bake at 300 degrees about 6-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.


Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut each pizza into quarters (adults only).


Serve and enjoy.


Makes 2 small pizzas.


Bugs on a Log

Ingredients
2 stalks of celery, washed and cut into 5-6 inch lengths
peanut butter
raisins


Place the celery on a plate, with the open side up.


Have your preschooler spread the peanut butter into the cavity of the celery (the log) using a cheese spreader or other non-sharp spatula.


Next have your child place the raisins (the bugs) on top of the peanut butter.


Enjoy!


Makes 4-6 logs.


There's some ideas and some recipes to get started. I'll have pictures in a little bit as my little 3 year old munchkin is still sleeping.