MOTHER'S KITCHEN KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

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Cognitive Skills

Cooking can be scientific because of experimentation involved and the theory of cause and effect. Discuss with your child how a liquid turns into a solid when you're making ice cream or popsicles. Help him discriminate between two smells, such as cinnamon and almond extract. Make predictions, asking your child questions such as, "What do you think would happen if we forgot to put in the baking powder?" or "What would have happened if we had doubled the amount of yeast in the bread?"

Work on pre-math skills, such as sequencing by nesting measuring cups inside one another or arranging measuring spoons by size. Sorting objects is also a pre-math skill. Ask your pre-schooler to sort food items; putting chocolate chips in one pile, raisins in another, nuts in another, etc., pointing out both their similarities and differences.

Large and Fine Motor Skills

Whenever children are cutting, rolling, stirring, pounding, chopping, and peeling, they are manipulating and strengthening muscles in their arms, hands, and fingers. Holding utensils, measuring ingredients, and pouring liquids helps develop coordination and dexterity. Before you round up all your kids and head for the kitchen, here are a few hints to make the experience as pleasurable as possible:

Make a cooking appointment with only one child at a time. (If you have more than one child, rotate. You might want to call the others in to play with the playdough or decorate cookies after the food preparation with the one child.)Set up a special time with your child when there are few distractions, such as when older children are at school or the baby is napping. Be sure to allow enough time. He/she may want to sift the flour for 30 minutes just for fun.Have all the prep work done beforehand: clear all surfaces and have everything you need available so that your child won't become restless and bored.Keep the recipes simple at first. Young children are happy merely making cookiecutter sandwiches for lunch.Allow your child to be creative. There isn't always one correct way to prepare food. (For instance, my son puts cajun seasoning in his own marinara sauce.)Don't be afraid to fail. Children need to learn that life doesn't always flow as planned. Discuss with your child ways to improve your recipe the next time that you make it.Schedule a regular time for your children to help you in the kitchen. Post jobs on a bulletin board. Even a three year old can set the table and learn one-to-one correspondence.

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