How to Prepare a Family Dinner With Young Children

Are you tired of hearing the kids say "is it ready yet?" Here is a simple solution that will include your children in the preparation of the meal, lessening your burden while at the same time involving them in a productive activity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Measuring cups
• Pots and pans
• Picture book of recipes or a hand made book of the simple recipes with pictures and numbers for amounts
• 3-ring notebook

1. Many children are bored, tired or hungry and do not want to wait for a big meal. Try involving your children in the preparation. Measuring, stirring and adding ingredients can all be a part of their helping you prepare the meal.
2. This is a great time to try simple but healthy foods together. It is proven that children who help prepare a meal or cook a special dish are more likely to try it than if it is just set in front of them.
3. Picture books cut up with food items or magazines with pictures make a great cookbook. Cutting and pasting their favorite foods along with directions of how many cups or teaspoons or tablespoons needed increases math, literacy, reading, matching and cooking skills.
4. Let your child prepare the meal with you. One night a week let them choose the menu and go shopping with you to buy the items. Using pictures at the grocery store, let them find the items themselves. Then, with assistance only when needed, let them cook YOU a meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Children under age 7 will need assistance with cutting. Try using a plastic knife to teach them the safe way to cut.
• Pots and pans need to be light enough to carry and easily accessible to allow for more independence.
• Any stove or oven operation will need adult supervision.
• Electrical outlets need to be handled by an adult for younger children and assisted with for age 5 through 7.
• Children age 4 and up like to do pretend cooking and housekeeping, so let them do the real thing and watch how their appetite improves!