When you whip up a quick meal or tasty snack, are you bombarded by 2 year-old twins begging “I help you?” A while back I posted an item about kitchen safety, and was asked by a reader, Dani, if I had more tricks to share about incorporating a crowd of little kids in the kitchen. My advice? Take advantage of your kids’ helpful instincts! By simply cooking together, your children can learn healthy eating habits, life skills, family traditions, and much more all at the same time– a true “high yield” activity. Looking at recipes and measuring ingredients boosts early reading and math skills in a very fun, hands-on way with edible results. Do you have picky eaters? Kids who play a role in the cooking process are more likely to try new foods.
Dani is correct to have concerns about the safety of her two 2 year-olds in the kitchen. As with all ages and stages, no magical childproofing gadget or gizmo can replace direct supervision– parents need to keep a vigilant watch over toddlers when cooking. Mom and Dad can teach kitchen safety skills in an age-appropriate way. I usually keep my instructions clear and simple, and will define certain tasks as “a grown-up job” (slicing onions, peeling pears) or “a kid job” (measuring or adding sugar, sprinkling cheese). As your children grow and develop they’ll be able to add on to their repertoire of cooking tasks. From the outset, establish clear boundaries with hot stoves, sharp knives, and other dangerous aspects of the kitchen. Over time with consistent parental guidance, your kids will learn the basics of staying safe while cooking, and you’ll be able to shift more attention towards the dish at hand. [Some lessons will be accidental, but memorable nonetheless: a couple years ago I gave myself a minor cut (requiring a bandage) when slicing vegetables– one of my twins witnessed the event and to this day, if I happen to pick up any tool that has a remotely sharp edge to it (scissors, knives, even a stapler) he will remind me, “Be careful with that, Mom!”] In addition to kitchen safety, teach good hygiene by reminding your kids to wash their hands with soap and water before handling food, and to sneeze in their cough pocket, not onto the salad bowl!
What is the safest way to help your toddlers or preschoolers work at a standard counter height? Typical step stools are usually not high enough, but pushing dining chairs into the cooking area can be both cumbersome and dangerous; wiggly little feet in socks standing on a chair can easily slip and fall. Since our twins have older and younger siblings very close in age, we invested in a sturdy and stable stepstool made specifically for 2 children to use at once. It has a rail around all 4 sides, is nearly impossible to tip over, the step height is adjustable as your kids grow, and it can even double as a puppet theater if curtains are added. I used to store ours in a closet, lugging it out each day, then realized life would be easier if we simply kept it out and available in the corner of the kitchen. It’s a bit of an eyesore, but we’ve consciously prioritized our children’s development over aesthetic appearances. [I usually try to avoid endorsing specific companies or products, but you can enter “The Learning Tower” in your internet search engine to see some examples. Many vendors now carry it at different price points, so shop carefully if you choose to make this investment.] When you have twins or more, it is worth the cost of a couple meals out in a restaurant (and is healthier) to have the ability to safely cook with your children at home over the years.
