Use cooking activities to have some fun with your kids this summer. Give them the opportunity to learn about food – how it looks, smells, feels and tastes. Start with a simple recipe, possibly a snack. Make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment on hand.
Here are a few simple safety rules:
• Wash your hands.
• Wash the counter-tops or surface where you will be preparing the food.
• No sharp knives unless they are old enough to know how to use them properly.
• No licking their fingers while preparing food.
Try this easy recipe:
FRUIT SALAD CONES
• One large ba
nana, cut in slices
• One small can mandarin oranges, drained
• ¼ cup miniature marshmallows
• 10 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• ¾ cup lemon yogurt
• Ice cream cones
Directions: Mix together and spoon into ice cream cones.
Introduce the recipe to your child by reading the recipe aloud and allowing them to find the ingredients and equipment from the pantry or cupboards. Let them open cans, slice banana and strawberries and mix.
Presenting your child with age appropriate activities can help build their self-confidence.
Activities appropriate for a 2 year-old:
• Clean vegetables with brushes
• Clean tables
• Wash dishes
• Tear, break and snap foods
Activities appropriate for 3 year-old:
• Press dough into baking pan
• Pour from small plastic pitchers
• Mix with hands or a wooden spoon in a container twice the size of the amount of food.
• Spread foods using dull table knives or small spatulas
Activities appropriate for a 4 year-old:
• Use fingers to peel eggs, oranges, corn, etc.
• Crack eggs with table knife
• Mash food
• Roll or flatten food
Activities appropriate for a 5 year-old:
• Measure ingredients
• Cut soft food
• Beat with an egg beater
• Teach knife safety
By letting your children help in the kitchen, they will more likely want to try the foods they prepare. They feel important and are proud of what they have done. This is a great way to introduce them to new foods.
Find more information at:
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
