Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Susan Wingard

County Extension Coordinator

December 23, 2008

At this time of year, there are many things to get done.  If you have food preparation to complete, encourage children to help.

According to Nibbles for Health, a USDA nutrition newsletter for parents of young children, cooking builds self-esteem, cooking teaches, and cooking together is fun family time.   Helping in the kitchen builds confidence and early skills of independence. Most children feel proud and important when they help prepare food.  Cooking activities provide an opportunity for your child to measure and count. Your child may learn new words and symbols by cooking with you.  Small muscle skills develop when your child uses his or her hands to assist with kitchen tasks.  Cleanup teaches responsibility.  Cooking together creates closer bonds and lifelong memories.

Be sure your family follows these four food safety rules. 

1.  Clean.  Teach children to wash their hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food.

2.  Separate. Keep raw and cooked food separate.

3.  Cook.  Cook food to proper temperature.

4.  Chill. Refrigerate perishable food right away. 

Children may develop skills at different ages so select the activities that match your child’s abilities.   Here are some possible kitchen activities for children from MyPyramid.gov:

At two years:

Wipe tables

Hand items to an adult to put away

Tear lettuce

Rinse vegetables or fruits

At three years:

All that a two year old can do, plus:

Add ingredients

Talk about cooking

Mash potatoes

Squeeze citrus fruits

Stir pancake batter

Name and count foods

At four years:

All that a three year old can do, plus:

Peel eggs and some fruits, such as oranges and bananas

Set the table

Help measure dry ingredients

Help make sandwiches and tossed salads

At five years:

All that a four year old can do, plus:

Measure liquids

Cut soft fruits with a plastic knife

I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy time together with your family and get all your tasks completed.

Email address:swingard@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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