Kids Helping in the Kitchen!

Allowing your child to help you cook and be a part of what’s being served at your home for dinner can be so valuable, it can embed values and skills that can last a lifetime. When children are exposed to cooking and preparing nutritious foods at a young age it will help them make better food choices as they get older.

This is also true for children in our KES Clubs.  Student volunteers are a great asset to your KES Clubs and it gives them responsibilities as it relates to the preparation and service of breakfast each morning.  Involving students is a wonderful addition to your Kids Eat Smart Clubs.   Many students start volunteering at their Clubs in primary and elementary and continue to do so as they move on to Junior High and Senior High, it just becomes a part of their daily and weekly routines – they love it!

Here are some ways children can help in the kitchen:

–        Wash the fruits and vegetables

–        Choose the spices of choice

–        Let them be your special helper by asking them to collect items out of the fridge and cupboards

–        Stirring ingredients

–        Let them invent a new recipe for a smoothie or salad

–        Have them choose a food from each food group that will make up a delicious meal

–        Depending on their age, let them use small appliances like a toaster, blender, cheese grater or can opener

Try this with the children in your life and in your KES Clubs, they will have a blast and they will be a great help to you!

Information retrieved from: www.eaTracker.ca & www.eatrightontario.ca

Janel Genge is a registered dietitian with Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador