Making dinner with a toddler can be a disaster or a wonderful experience. I have had some wonderful memories of laughing while cracking eggs to being frustrated while cleaning up the sauce off my floor. What separates the two outcomes? Patience, prep and praise. There are benefits that outweigh the mess and possible frustration. One benefit is that a child is more likely to eat what she has a hand in cooking. In addition, you teach your toddler order and patience. There is also no short order of fun and games that comes with this adventure. Here are a few tips to keep your hair firmly attached to your head and your floor free from at least the entire jar of sauce.
First, be patient. Go into this little escapade knowing you will have more of mess or take longer than normal. Convince yourself to be okay with a spill or two and that a 30 minute meal may take 40-60 minutes. Your toddler will one day grow old enough to want nothing to do with the kitchen so enjoy the time you have. Keep your eyes on the grand picture and not how sloppy the cake is frosted. In order to achieve this you also must dictate the proper times when a toddler can help. You may not want your toddler to help you prepare Christmas dinner or bake your sister’s wedding cake.
Second, prep your meal in advance. Measure and chop ingredients in advance. Get your recipe and gather all your ingredients and supplies. You do not want to be struggling to find the measuring cup while unbeknownst to you your toddler is adding crazy ingredients to the bowel. Also, you may not want to make something new on the night you have your toddler helping out.
Third, praise your little one each time she does a task or exhibits patience. Praising your toddler for positive behavior begets positive behavior. Once she sees value in being patient she will learn to be more patient even outside of the kitchen.
Another important aspect of a toddler in the kitchen is giving her an appropriate job. Here are jobs a toddler can learn:
1. cracking eggs
2. pouring pre-measured ingredients in a bowl
3. stirring ingredients in bowl
4. kneading dough
5. adding chocolate chips or the alike to a mixture
6. washing the plastic utensils or cups
7. using a scooper to help fill muffin tins
8. adding pre-cut salad ingredients to the salad bowl
9. rolling up cookie dough into balls or using a cookie scooper
10. present the finished product with help to the rest of the family