We spend half the day there anyway, right? Ok, ok. I know what you are thinking....but kids are so messy. Yes. They are. Hear me out. My experience from this area comes from working with teens and pre-teens at work and my own kids (and niece). Many different personalities, and all of them eat.
1. MOST kids love food- one kind or another. You can find one way or another to get them involved. They just need to feel welcome. Sometimes it's therapy. Sometimes it's memory making. Sometimes it's quenching a curious mind. So many positives, one negative- it's messy.
2. It takes time, but they can learn to clean. They can wipe down a counter or throw away trash...start with simple instructions and it will eventually lead to habit.
3. Kids are more likely to eat the food that they are a part of growing, harvesting, or making. This is an excellent way to introduce a variety of foods to kids! Even some foods that kids tend to turn their noses up at. It is way easier for an adult to eat healthy if they were introduced to healthy eating as a child. I strongly believe that involving kids in the kitchen can save them from health concerns later (or sooner) in life!
4. The learning possibilities are endless- literally! I have learned that this is an excellent way to supplement learning in math, reading comprehension, and science. In addition, it is a real life lesson in following instruction. If you put too much baking soda in waffles, you get to eat waffles with too much baking soda. eeeh. Maybe next time things will turn out different!
5. One day, this will probably work to your benefit. As a homeschooling family, I am thankful that my older girls can make a few breakfast items on their own while I prepare for the day!
This is what we do:
Responsibilities of the chef:
assist in deciding on the menu
assist in writing a grocery list
assist in purchasing the food
depending on their age and capability, assist in making the meal
assist in clean up
Pre-schoolers can:
collect ingredients
stir
pour
help measure, or help pick out what to use to measure (teaspoon, cup, liquid measuring cup, etc.)
put dirty dishes in the sink
taste test the food
As they get older:
read recipes
measure
crack eggs
cut food with kitchen scissors
fold in ingredients
the possibilities are endless
And any one can just talk!
count down when you are using the microwave
define cooking terms
determine the best cooking methods (broiling, boiling, frying)
liquids, solids, and gasses
observe colors or textures of the food
rate how good the food is
talk about what food or drink does for your body
categorize foods into groups
ask them where they think a particular food came from
Things that might make it a little more fun:
chef's hat
aprons
colorful measuring spoons
making something they have chosen
lots of imagination- like imagining they are a head chef
and allowing a sous chef or as we call it, "shoe chef" to help
Things that may make it a little less messy:
have a wet rag close by
have a trash- or at least a garbage bowl close by
use a flexible cutting board to measure on so the spills can easily be wiped off in the sink
remind them to put something away after they are done using it
take several cleaning breaks- maybe set a timer for one minute and clean for that minute
experience- which only happens by making a mess first
Character Building
being a chef is a privelage- and if they can't handle it, they can't do it until they prove otherwise
responsibility- others will eat and critique their work, so naturally they will want to do a good job
appreciation-there are many steps involved in providing a meal, and understanding this will increase their appreciation
following directions- not doing this will have interesting consequenses
caring about others- what they like to eat and doing a good job so everyone will enjoy it
accomplishment- their reward is a delicious treat!
