Let Your Little Chef Step Inside The Kitchen

When kids are home, they want something or other to keep themselves busy. Sometimes they even want to offer some help in the kitchen. But our usual reaction is – It’s okay. Go outside and play. I will call you once your food is ready. Before we move forward with today’s post, let’s have a look at this mom-kid conversation. I am sure most of us will relate to it.

 Kiddo: Can I have lemonade please? It’s so hot.

You: Sure!!

Kiddo: Can I help you please?

You: It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. (then since your kiddo didn’t get the permission of helping you, s(he) would observe you making the lemonade)

Kiddo: It’s yummy…Next time I will help you mamma.

Ponder on:  Why this ‘next time’? Why not today when they want to help? When you let your little chef step into the kitchen, they have a feeling of fulfilment, happiness and accomplishment.

 “Cooking with kids is not just about ingredients, recipe and cooking. It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment, and creativity. – Guy Fieri”

• It creates a strong bond: Preparing your child’s favorite dish together strengthens your relation/bond with your child. One-on-one time is an essential part of parenting.
• You are teaching them team building skill: When you and your child are working together, they are learning how to work as a team. It’s like “kuchh tum karo, kuchh hum kare”.
• Improves their attention span and patience level: For example, you are baking a cake or cookies together then use this time as an opportunity of letting your child understand the importance of following a particular recipe step-by-step and paying attention to the ingredient list. When you wait for the cake to get ready, your child is learning patience.
• Many other concepts come into picture: Apart from following a recipe, your little chef is also learning other concepts too like ratio, measurement, quantity, names of the ingredients.
• Who knows there might be a budding chef in your own house: There are lots of cooking contests for little kids now a days. That doesn’t mean that s(he) has to participate in one such contest. But you never know there might be a budding chef in your own house.

With today’s busy lifestyle, it has become hard for many of us to find that one-on-one time with our children. Working together in the kitchen can be a very fun and useful option for this kind of a situation. You need not have to create a master dish. Even making Pizza for dinner at night, a Lemonade, a Mug Cake for dessert or just asking them to peel potatoes or wash the veggies can be enough and a fulfilling experience for both of you.

 “Cooking with your kids and engaging them in hands-on activities are two ways to begin to educate children about the healthy eating, and kick start the important task to help change how the younger generation looks at food and nutrition. – Marcus Samuelsson”

 So, don’t let your little chefs miss this wonderful experience and opportunity to have the special one-on-one time with you in the kitchen.

I am Alpana Deo- wife, mom& person behind www.mothersgurukul.com. After finishing up my studies & then working in India for sometime came to the USA 9 years ago. During this span,I got to know American culture very closely. With a desire to stay connected to my educational background & Hobby of writing put together my website ‘Mothers Gurukul’-a place not only for moms but for all the parents who’re trying to raise their kids in two very rich but totally different cultures. I am a Guest contributor for few other websites namely Bloggy Moms, Indian Moms Connect, Hindi Gym. Other than that, I am a NRI Contributor for the prestigious Times of India (TOI). Also, you can read my interview on  53-weeks.com. Join me on my journey.

 Follow me on my journey as a Wife, Mom, Blogger and Writer.
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