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Kids Cooking
Thursday, October 20, 2005

By Christina VanGinkel

Some kids love to cook, others do not. For those that take an actual interest in the process, giving them real access to the kitchen and all its wonders is a major milestone in their lives. Once kids have helped you in the kitchen for a while, they will want to make a meal all on their own before you know it. Making sure that they are ready before letting them attempt a solo flight is important. Two rules reign over all others though, one for the kids and one for the adults. Knowing and understanding kitchen safety is the number one thing they need to know and understand. For you, it will be letting them try.

Set them up for success by making sure they are ready. Let them help you every step of the way through numerous complete meal preparations. Once they seem comfortable, have them begin small by assigning them a dish during each meal preparation. Start basic, with an easy side dish or salad. Increase the level of expertise needed for the dishes by incorporating some new dishes. Pull out the cookbooks together and decide on menus, letting them choose dishes to incorporate into each meal. Have them make a shopping list for dishes they pick, and show them where you keep ingredients such as spices, so that they can check their list against what you already have on hand and what items they will need to buy. Have them grocery shop with you, letting them choose the items on their list. A good cook is as adept at picking out the required ingredients as they are at cooking with them.

If you are still uncomfortable with just letting them go in the kitchen, compromise. Make yourself a cup of coffee, sit at the table within eyesight, but do not intervene unless you are sure an accident is about to occur. By accident, I mean physically with them, not within the recipe. Let them have free reign where the ingredients and steps are involved, as that is the best way for them to learn. If they want to ask you a question, you will be right there, but unless they ask, do not offer. Make this clear to them before they start, and stick to it. Otherwise you will give the impression that making mistakes in the kitchen is bad, and anyone that cooks knows that some of the best dishes started out as horrendous errors, and sometimes, following a recipe to a tee, will result in a horrendous dish!

Finally, step back and let them go. Give them carte blanche with the menu selection and meal preparation. If you have followed the steps to make sure they are comfortable in the kitchen, you will most likely be sitting down to a fantastic meal at the end of their solo run. If not, remind them there are many cookbooks waiting to be opened, and millions of recipes to try. Finish off the meal by helping them clear the table and washing up. Sit back and know that you have helped your child attempt something that many children are never given the opportunity to try.

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