University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
COOK IT
QUICK

Helping you prepare healthy foods in a hurry
Alice Henneman, MS, Registered Dietitian and Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

 

Co mb in e Cooking Time
with Family Time

If you're caught between finding time to prepare meals and spending quality time with your children, try cooking with them. Here are suggestions for cooking with kids from "Kids in the Kitchen" in the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Tips for Using the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children.

When your child is helping you with food preparation, don't forget cleanliness. Wash hands using soap and warm running water before and after handling food or utensils to prepare food.

Children enjoy helping in the kitchen and often are more willing to eat foods they help prepare. Involve your child in planning and preparing some meals and snacks for the family.

It is important that you give kitchen tasks appropriate for your child’s age. Be patient as your child gains new skills at different ages.

Meal Preparation Activities for Young Children:

Children have to be shown and taught how to do these activities. Each child has his or her own pace for learning, so give it time and the skills will come. Expect a few spills. It's a small price to pay for helping your children become comfortable around food.

 
2-year-olds:
  • Bring ingredients from one place to another
  • Wipe table tops
  • Tear lettuce or greens
  • Break cauliflower
  • Snap green beans
  • Play with utensils

3-year-olds: Can do what 2-year-olds do, plus...
  • Wrap potatoes in foil for baking
  • Knead and shape yeast dough
  • Pour liquids
  • Mix ingredients
  • Shake liquids in covered container
  • Spread soft spreads
  • Place things in trash

4-year olds: Can do all that 2- and 3-years-olds do, plus...
  • Move hands to form round shape
  • Cut parsley or green onions with dull scissors
  • Mash bananas using fork
  • Set table

5-to 6-year-olds: Can do all that 2-, 3-, and 4-years-olds do, plus...
  • Measure ingredients
  • Cut with blunt knife
  • Use an egg beater

Related Topics

Kitchen Safety for Children On Their Own

2 (Or More) Cooks Are Better Than 1!

The Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children

 

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Developed By:

Alice C. Henneman, MS, RD
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Fax: (402) 441-7148
Phone: (402) 441-7180
E-Mail: ahenneman1@unl.edu
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu/food

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Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

For more information about preparing healthy meals, contact your local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office; for the location of the office nearest you, click here. For a listing of Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the United States, click here.

Address: 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528-1507, Phone: 402-441-7180

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