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How to transform your children into little chefs — safely
1. How do I cook safely with young kids?
2. What are tips for teaching teens?
3. Is my kitchen as safe as it can be?
When your family is stuck at home sheltering in place, cooking together is a great escape from boredom, says Kathy Wall, program director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County. And it's a great way to teach important skills. Children can participate by helping sort, count, measure, read and follow recipes.
“Involving children in cooking helps develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and early concepts of math and science,” Wall says.
So be sure your kitchen smoke detector is working and get ready for some family fun!
1. HOW CAN I COOK SAFELY WITH YOUNG KIDS?
Preparation is the key to kitchen safety. Download a parent checklist from Safe Kids and perhaps post it on your fridge. Tips include moving pots to the back burner, turning pot handles away from the stove’s edge, ensuring appliance cords are away from the counter edge, and wearing short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves to avoid burns.
“Kids also need to have their own set of specific rules before entering the kitchen,” says Stacey Stolman, founder of the nonprofit Fun Chefs in Jupiter that teaches kids how to cook nutritious meals.
Stolman’s rules for kids include pulling back long hair, washing hands before touching food, sharing supplies, listening to caregivers, being respectful and having fun.
2. WHAT ARE TIPS FOR TEACHING TEENS?
Emphasize to teens that proper nutrition and culinary skills are the foundation of health and wellness. Heavily processed and manufactured food may seem economical, but the price on your health is high. When teens help plan and prepare healthy menus, they may even discover a future culinary career, Stolman says.
Well-taught kitchen skills build on each other and stick with your teens for the rest of their lives, Wall says. Teens can practice advanced skills by staying close while foods are cooking, setting oven timers, and using potholders to take dishes out of the oven and carry hot foods.
3. IS MY KITCHEN AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE?
Your entire family needs to be safe in the kitchen, so use child-appropriate knives, choppers and electric skillets that can be positioned at your children’s level because sometimes stoves are too high, Stolman says. Also, prevent illness by ensuring cold food stays cold and hot food stays hot.
Sometimes, though, you should create a kid-free zone when preparing family meals. Prevent burns and scalds by teaching younger children to stay at least 3 feet from your cooking space, and place babies in a high chair where you can see them when you need to focus. This protects everyone from accidents.
“The best part is the end result, when you get to taste and share the fruits of your project,” Wall says. “Take pictures, give praise and celebrate your accomplishment. This gives children a great sense of pride.”
For more tips and advice, visit Children’s Heath and Parents.com.
SOURCES:
• Kathy Wall, program director, Safe Kids Palm Beach County
• Stacey Stolman, founder, Fun Chefs
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