Young Children Helping in the Kitchen

Written with contributions by Kimberly Cripps, former SDSU Extension Family & Community Health Field Specialist.

Young children love to be in the kitchen with their parents and other adults. Not only do they enjoy spending time with you, but they also love being able to make themselves something to eat. Although it may not seem like it, children are developing important skills while they help you in the kitchen.

Safety can be a concern when food is being prepared, but there are benefits to letting toddlers and older children help. So rather than shoo them out, let them do some simple, easy tasks that will help them feel ‘grown-up’ and important, while at the same time gaining valuable culinary skills and knowledge about healthy foods.  Remember that if they help prepare the food, they are more likely to try it too, along with a variety of new foods.

There is no reason why a child should not be able to perform some simple tasks during meal preparation if the task matches their age and ability.  While they help prepare the food, you can talk to them about the food groups and what makes the food healthy.

Here are some things to remember when having young children help in the kitchen:

• Involve them in the meal planning. Let them choose some of the foods you will serve.
• Always make sure the child can safely do tasks at their age.
• Help them learn how to keep food safe.
• Teach them to always wash their hands before and during meal preparation and before eating.
• Talk to them about the food groups and what makes the food they make healthy.
• Always choose cooking tools that match the child’s age and ability and teach them how to use it correctly.
• Let them help clean up.
• Always praise them for their efforts.
• Be patient and understand that messes will happen.