My fondest memories as a kid were in my Mom's Kitchen. I'm always
amazed by her cooking skills. She's very creative and can cook many
dishes without following any recipes. She just knows what to do. Now
that I am a Mother, I want to share those skills I learned with my son.
Luckily, kids are enthusiastic about cooking as early as 4! My little
guy always calls it "Our cooking show"... Why Cooking? It is perfect
for Children. It offers them the opportunity to learn a valuable skill
and, of course, it is a form of bonding time between Parents and their
kids and that's priceless.
Children love to play and help in the kitchen. Teaching your
child to cook can be a terrific memory for both of you, as well as a
valuable learning experience for him or her. But cooking can also be
very hazardous. Kids need to know the rules right away. Here are some
guidelines to help you keep your budding chef safe and healthy in the
kitchen. Even the smallest helpers, aged 2 to 3, can learn safety rules
if they are simple and repeated patiently as often as necessary.
- Make sure long hair is tied back out of the way and sleeves are rolled up.
- Children of any age can be taught to wash hands with warm water and
soap before and after handling food. Teach them to avoid sneezing or
coughing in the direction of the food.
- Be clear about when it is okay to lick fingers and when it is not.
- For younger children, let them know that stoves and ovens are
absolutely OFF-LIMITS, as well as sharp objects such as knives, graters
and food processors.
- Have a step-stool in the kitchen for your child to stand on to reach
counter height. Even very young children can wash fruits and
vegetables, add ingredients to the bowl (that you have measured out for
them), and stir.
- Utensils should be large enough for a child to grip easily with their whole hand, but small enough for them to maneuver.
- Do not let small kids help you cook anything on the stove or help while you use the mixer.
- Teach kids to clean up messes and spills promptly when they cook.
Spills on the floor become hazards for slipping. Counter messes are not
only unattractive; they can make your work surface and utensils
slippery, and they are a breeding ground for unwelcome bacteria. On the
other hand, realize that cooking with kids is naturally a messy
business. Keep your sense of humor.
- As kids get older, they can take on more responsibility and can
learn new skills in the kitchen. With these skills come new rules.
- Do not ever stick anything in the bowl while the mixer is running, especially your fingers.
- Once they are using the stove and oven, remind them to always use an oven mitt, and that microwaved containers may be quite hot.
- When chopping, keep fingers of your holding hand tucked in to avoid the blade.
- Always turn pot handles away from yourself on the stove.
- Never plug in or use appliances with wet hands.
- Cooking with kids should be fun. Use these safety guidelines to keep your little chefs safe.
"Cheesecake
Factory Open for Business": As what he calls it. He never seizes to
amaze me with his imaginative mind, working as we make our favorite
desert. Cheesecake! This is nothing fancy, I buy the JELLO: NO BAKE
CHEESECAKE with Strawberry toppings. The crust is a little hard for him
so I try to do it while my little guy works his magic with the electric
mixer and spread them evenly over the crust then we place it in the
refrigerator 2 hours. After which, he then adds the ready strawberry
toppings. he is a natural! ...
Some days, my son just lies around, plays games on my iPhone, or watches TV; and still sighs and says
"I'm Bored, Mom!"
So it's always good to have a cake mix. It comes handy in times like
these. Baking with your kids is a fun-filled activity and very easy to
do. While the oven is preheating, we're on to the next task: gather the
ingredients and baking utensils and place them on the work counter. I
always assign him to mix the ingredients using an electric mixer. Safety
is important. It always helps to keep reminding your little ones to
stay away from the oven. As he lines up the paper liner in the cupcake
pan, I make sure the batter is thoroughly mixed. Then together we spoon
the batter and fill the cupcake paper liners 3/4 full. Once finished, I
then place them in the oven and he sets the timer. When the cupcakes
are done, we let it cool down prior to putting frosting on it. We
usually buy the ready made frosting and then top it off with colorful
sprinkles.
Wrapping Things Up!
Kitchen is now close...
Kids nowadays spend so much time in front of television and playing
video games at the expense of playing sports or spending time with
family or friends. Among many others, cooking is one of the best
activities you can share with your kids. It is a beautiful experience
that will be remembered and savored long after the goodies are gone.
Like my Mama always says, "Kitchen is the heart of the house". She
always makes it fun so cooking doesn't seem much of a chore. Cooking
comes with a lot of benefits, for both parents and kids. Kids learn
valuable skills: the most obvious is they will actually learn how to
cook! And that's a gift that keeps on giving. They will learn Math,
Science, improve their motor skills, and time management. It also
encourages their creativity to be developed. Cooking gives the Child a
sense of accomplishment and pride and helps them build self esteem.
Well, for parents, this is our chance to help our little ones learn
these basic skills; to become a better person in the future. With time
spent together, it encourages communication and creates beautiful
memories...
