Meal preparation is a great way to get your family involved at mealtimes and a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about healthy eating. Children’s skills develop as they get older; be sure to divide food preparation tasks according to what may be appropriate for their age. Here are some ways that your child can help prepare meals.
Cooking with a Toddler
Toddlers will mostly be watching and learning, but they can help with things like greasing muffin pans and handing utensils to you as you need them. Because many tasks are still difficult for them to manage alone, it is a good idea to focus on thanking your toddler for helping rather than on teaching him to do something perfectly.
Cooking with a Preschooler
When your child is able to understand broad concepts, you can talk about which foods are healthful and why. This is also a good age to introduce recipes that involve "building," such as layering toppings on a pizza base or spooning yogurt, cereal, and fruit into a glass to make a tasty and healthful dessert. At this age, your child can also help with measuring, counting, and washing vegetables and fruit. Preschool children can help set the table, serve food, and clean up.
Cooking with a School-Aged Child
Once at school, your child will probably love shopping for groceries, making menu suggestions, and helping in the kitchen. Your child can also help do the dishes and clean the table now. This is also a good age to involve your child in choosing fruits and vegetables. You can teach about what is in season and which vegetables look fresh. Let your child pick out the fruit and vegetables for the next few meals.
