A recipe for helping children find independence in the kitchen.
By Ann Springer
Kids are known to be grazers. They’re always hungry, thirsty, or in need of a snack. You can find a toddler at your feet demanding a snack before you’ve even finished cleaning up from lunch. Or an older child who eats three bowls of cereal after devouring a delicious pancake breakfast. At that pace, your kitchen can pay the price for all of that food prep and so can your sanity if you spend all day donning an apron.
Unfortunately, most kids stake a claim on their independence long before they’re really able to work their way around a kitchen. They snack out of the pantry an hour before dinner will be served, or they eat the last slices of cheese you were going to serve atop your cheeseburgers. They are notorious for making food and then leaving ingredients out for hours. And most mothers have quit counting the number of plates that have been sacrificed as a result of a child trying to reach something out of his or her range.
Giving children independence can be confidence building when you set them up for a successful experience instead of just blindly handing over the reins. Here are some ways to help children accomplish simple tasks independently in the dining department:
1. Give them easy access. Place plastic, reusable plates, bowls, and cups in a bottom drawer dedicated just for kid-friendly dining wear. You can find lots of fun, brightly colored dishes that are dish-washer friendly. Replace them periodically as you see wear-and-tear. I try not to use disposable paper products to save the family budget and the environment, but they’re great to have on hand when the kids have friends over.
2. Give them a drawer or two. Filling up one bottom drawer in the fridge and one in the pantry with snacks that you deem as healthy will allow your kids to choose freely what they eat during snack time. Place a fruit bowl full of all of those wonderful seasonal fruits somewhere little hands can easily reach.
3. Give them a drink. Kids never drink enough water, so put a pitcher or a tap in the fridge for them to get to easily. Cold water is more refreshing, tastes better, and tends to be more appealing than regular tap water. It’s great when they can grab a drink for themselves so you don’t hear the repeated pleas crying out, “I need a drink!”
4. Give them a job. Toddlers can help clear the table or push in the chairs. Older children can help slice tomatoes or peel carrots. Everyone can play a role in the preparation and clean up of meals. You should view these as baby steps into teaching them how to cook. Every great chef has a team of people that help to create the feast. Empower your kids in the kitchen by giving them responsibilities they can handle.
5. Give them a list. I like to keep a magnetic dry erase board on my fridge displaying our menu for the week in hopes of eliminating the endless inquiry of, “What’s for dinner, Mom?” It also seems to help cure everyone of the response that usually follows, “I don’t like that. Can I have something else?” Clearly showing the expectation really helps to dispel the whining. I also try to include them in meal planning to help them feel excited about what’s served on their plates.
