Cooking with tiny chefs
I was recently reminded that when grandparents or parents spend time in the kitchen with children, the result is so much more than something to eat. There are lessons in reading, math, science and following instructions. There is learning about good nutrition and kitchen safety. But most of all, there is laughter -- over the jelly that lands on the floor or flour-dusted hair; giggles over forgotten ingredients and fallen cakes; and the satisfaction of turning out sustenance that is way more than the sum of its parts.
A cold or rainy day spent working together in a warm kitchen is the stuff of long-lasting and treasured memories. You probably have memories of your own, which I hope you will share, of time spent in the kitchen with parents, grandparents or your own children or grandchildren. I can't wait to read them.
What can children do
Even before they are a year old, children have a place in the
kitchen. We have all known 1-year-olds whose greatest joy was banging
pots and pans with a wooden spoon. Fortunately, their kitchen activities
get quieter as children get older.
The following guidelines appear on dozens of advice-for-parents Web sites.
Once they turn 2 or so, children can handle simple tasks, such as scrubbing vegetables and fruits, carrying unbreakable items to the table, dipping foods, washing and tearing lettuce and salad greens, breaking bread into pieces.
By age 3, children can pour pre-measured liquids into batter, mix dry and wet ingredients together, shake a drink in a closed container, spread butters or spreads, knead dough, wash vegetables and fruit, serve foods and put things in the trash after cooking or after a meal.
Four- through 7-year-olds can juice oranges, lemons and limes; peel some fruits and vegetables; mash soft fruits and vegetables; scrub vegetables; cut soft foods with a plastic knife; press cookie cutters; measure dry ingredients; break and beat eggs; set the table; wipe up after cooking; and clear the table.
When their attention spans increase, so does the complexity of things youngsters can do.
The basics
No one wants to be bothered with a bunch of instructions before
they actually start cooking, but these few basics are important:
Everyone's hands are washed, rings and bracelets are removed, and long
hair is tied back. A suitable workspace is cleared and everyone can
reach it comfortably. This may require a sturdy chair or stool for small
children. Everyone knows what the recipe is and what their part will be.
Equipment, supplies and ingredients are assembled.
Linda Brandt
28 January 2009
