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Safe and Fun Ways of Cooking with Kids
from: Maxx Family LifeDo your children constantly bother you in the kitchen? Have they been straying in your “food factory” instead of being glued in the boob tube lately? If they have, it is high time to teach the little tykes a thing or two about cooking.
Seeing a cartoon witch mixing some potions in a cauldron or watching the food channel on the television might have sparked their natural curiosity about the world of cookery. At least, they now want to be a part of the cooking process instead of just waiting for the forbidden apple pie or chocolate cake to be cooked like a horde of hungry vultures ready to strike anytime. Besides, allowing these youngsters to help you in the kitchen will save you more time and energy than relentlessly telling them to get out of the kitchen. But if the recipe you've been cooking is a bit more complex for the children to meddle with, it would be best for them be out of harm's way but promise them that you'll let them help in next time when the recipe is simpler.
Nowadays, it is easier to find simple step by step recipes for children. They're all over the Internet and the television. You can let your children help you in preparing finger foods, salads, cookies, and other all time favorite children's food. There are even recipes now on how to make home made ice cream of different flavors that will surely delight them!
When cooking with children always instruct them to wash their hands thoroughly. A pair of clean hands is equal to clean food. Children, who are sick, such as those with cough and colds, are advised to skip the activity to avoid the spread of germs.
Before the children enter the kitchen all the tools and ingredients require for the recipe should be assembled. This should be done to avoid confusion and save time during the cooking process.
Also strictly supervise children when handling kitchen tools. Instruct them on how to handle them safely, for instance don't point a sharp knife towards themselves or anybody, advice them to always carry it on their sides. Handling sharp tools may not be safe for younger children below six years old. Never leave the kitchen while an electronic tool is turned on (such as a blender or a mixer), always turn it off and unplug it and never leave the children out of your sight. A child can do anything within a nanosecond of your absence.
Instruct children not to taste any raw eggs, meat, fish, or unwashed vegetables. Raw and unwashed ingredients can endanger your child's health.
Still there is the cleaning up phase. This can be a little boring for the little ones but a promise of another fun-filled cooking in the future might as well motivate them.
And lastly the most awaited part of this activity is consuming the finished product. Indeed there is nothing more sublime than eating the fruits of their labor.
Cooking can be fun and enjoyable given the right supervision and cooperation with children. It can also be a form of basic education for children as they learn the difference of a pint from a gallon, or a half cup from a whole cup. It's like basic Mathematics but more fun and less stressful (and no stern Math teacher in sight). Children also learn different tastes, smells, textures, and colors during the cooking process. Mixing ingredients is like basic introduction to Chemistry. Moreover, they will learn how to cooperate and experience the joys of being part of a team. And who knows, you could be the first mentor of a future great chef or a famous food critic.
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