Tips for cooking with children

Here are some tips and tricks for cooking with kids to follow to ensure the success of this activity:

1. Make sure you have enough time. If you are in a hurry, you may feel delayed and stressed. Your patience is an essential ingredient for you and your child to be happy cooking together.
2. Involve your child from the moment you choose a recipe. Suggest recipes that they’re sure they’ll like or ask them to choose their favourite recipe from two or three options from a photo recipe book. Occasionally, also suggest a dish they don’t know about. Participating in the preparation of a new dish allows him to discover it, which can help him accept less familiar foods.
3. Start with recipes you know.
4. Ask for his help in making the grocery list and go to the grocery store with him to get the necessary ingredients. For example, he can check the contents of the refrigerator and pantry to see which ingredients are in and which are missing. If he can write, your child can prepare the grocery list by writing down the foods you dictate. Once at the grocery store, take the opportunity to explain how to choose certain foods.
5. Get the kitchen ready before you ask your child to join you. For example, remember to clean all the work surfaces that will be used, take out the ingredients, materials and utensils required. Choose safe utensils according to your child’s age and the tasks you will be doing.
6. Separate ingredients, materials and utensils according to the different steps of the recipe.
7. Before you start, wash your hands and ask your child to do the same.
8. Read the entire recipe to your child before you start. Take this opportunity to explain the meaning of the different terms used. If your child can read or is learning, have him read a few words or lines.
9. Try to complete each step of the recipe before moving on to the next one.
10. Ask your child to complete certain tasks according to his or her abilities.
11. Accept small messes. This is normal as your child is developing his or her skills. Help your child clean up, but don’t do it for them. Make sure that cleaning is not seen as a punishment, but rather as a normal part of dealing with damage.

Cupcake de Cereal

Cupcake de cereal is a very innovative and healthy snack. Kids love it, especially when the cupcakes are made up of their favorite cereals. This item is best served as a dessert after a meal because it has ice-cream. It’s super easy to make and kids can make it with an adult’s supervision.

Check out this recipe

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What’s more amazing than seeing your kid in an apron, trying to measure something or stir the contents of a pot with a big smile on his or her face?
Just like cooking is relaxing and therapeutic for adults, some kids also find cooking fun and exciting, kids love to cook. They take it up as a hobby and try their hands at simple tasks depending on how old they are. Kids cook for many reasons. One of the most exciting reasons kids cook is that they see it as a way to connect with you. It is a known fact that we try to imitate the actions of people that we love and respect. Kids do this more than anybody. They cook because you cook. They might make a mess or get in your way in the kitchen, but you should take it all in your stride. 

What you need to do is always to encourage and support your kids no matter the mess. This should show them that you love and respect them, which will make them love and respect themselves. Different ways to encourage your kids to keep cooking:

Kids love to cook with their parents

Whenever you need to cook in the kitchen, do it with your little one. This is a great way to bond with them. 

Buy them gifts that will develop their interests

If you have a kid who enjoys cooking, you can buy gifts that will help them improve their talent. A set of measuring spoons, an adorable apron and oven mitts set, kid’s cookbook, etc. 

Kids love to to cook so Eat whatever they cook

Another essential way to show you appreciate your kids’ cooking is by eating what they cook no matter what it tastes. 

Commendation and criticism should be offered together

Your kid might not be able to make meals that are incredibly delicious or even halfway decent; eggs might be burnt or overcooked, and soups might be over-salted or watery. Whatever the case may be, make sure you don’t lay the criticism too thick. Appreciate the efforts first, then make corrections on ways they can improve their interest.

To make kitchen time easy for you and the kids. Teach them the following:

• Teach and show them the importance of cleaning up after themselves: You should teach them the importance of not leaving a mess. Older kids should be taught cleaning guidelines for the different gadgets in the kitchen, while younger kids should be limited to activities that do not require much cleaning.
• You should also help your kids learn to make the right types of meals. 

All in all, kids cooking is a very adorable and fun thing when done safely and with your support.

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• Playtime awakens productivity and creativity: During playtime, children are active. They build blocks, carry objects, run, laugh, and create things. It is during playtime that children learn the benefits of being productive and active.
• It helps them interact with other children: During playtime, children play with other kids. They learn so many things by doing this. Through this, they learn to be sympathetic toward the plight of others.
• It helps them develop leadership traits: The first taste of leadership in many children is leading ‘a battalion to war’ at the playground. This little activity will awaken a sense of responsibility and leadership in your little ones.
• It helps them learn about sharing and caring for others: Children love easily and fiercely. When they play with other children, pets, or toys, they become protective. They care for their friends, pets, and toys. That is why most children cry when you shout at their older siblings, friends, or other loved ones. Playtime awakens all the right emotions that will help them become caring and protective when they are older.
• Playtime brings out the inborn talents in your children: You can quickly identify a natural negotiator by the way he or she settles disagreements amongst other children. Some children like taking toys apart and putting them back together. All these activities will bring out their inborn talents.
• It promotes good health: When children play, they are active. Being active is great for children as well as adults. They run around, lift things, jump, and smile. These activities are great for a child’s mental and physical health.
• Playtime helps you bond with your kids: Playtime will serve as beautiful memories for you and your kids. You share in their laughter and fun. You also get to exercise as you run around trying to catch them.

Children shouldn’t be denied playtime because of the dangers associated with this restriction on their natural rights. Some of the risks are:

1. Low self-esteem
2. Poor people skills
3. Sluggishness and Inactivity
4. Poor physical and mental development

To make playtime fun, make sure the environment is safe for your little one. Baby proof the rooms, make sure dangerous things are out of reach and ensure that all toys and surfaces are clean. Playtime is healthy and beneficial for your kids.

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Safety

The most important thing to always think about when it comes to your kid’s activities is safety. You don’t want your kid to sustain a bad burn or break a limb on wet and slippery floors. It is essential to educate kids on safety guidelines in the kitchen and make sure they are strictly adhered to.

Be a Role Model

Kids love to observe and imitate. When you’re in the kitchen with your kids, make sure you follow safety guidelines too. Don’t pick up hot pans without oven mitts, don’t litter the kitchen and don’t do other things you would like your kids to avoid. If they see you obeying your own rules, it will be effortless for them to follow.

Give them easy tasks

It is vital to boost your kids’ confidence in the kitchen by giving them hassle-free tasks to perform. They can help you read out instructions from cookbooks, measure ingredients, and pour in liquids. They can also help you set up the table. These little tasks will slowly generate more significant jobs and boost their self-esteem.

Ask for their opinions

Bring your children into the decision making process of the family. Ask your kids what they think about choices in meal preparation and ingredients. This will make them feel loved and important. Make sure your little one is not just fading into the background in your kitchen. 

Educate them about Healthy feeding habits

The time to teach healthy feeding habits in kids is when they are young. Teach them about tasty and healthy meals that are fun to eat and fit for their young, developing bodies. They will grow up used to eating healthy and live better lives.

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