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summer approaches, children of all ages dream of long days playing outside
and enjoying every bit of sunshine available until bed time. As every parent
knows, after the first couple of days of enthusiastic games, children will
proclaim their boredom over and over again! Never mind that their rooms
resemble a toy store; whatever they have within reach will be of no use to
them. They are bored and now it’s your problem! Cooking is an easy
way to entertain young children and at the same time teach them some basic
math and language skills. By keeping it simple and easy, both you and your
child can have a wonderful time in the kitchen.
How
Cooking Can Help Preschoolers:
Bringing children into the kitchen can benefit them
in a number of ways. Cooking can help:
Build
basic skills. You can help your child improve basic math skills by
doing something as simple as counting eggs or pouring water into a measuring
cup. You can ask what comes first, second, and third or count together as
you spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. When you read a recipe together,
you're introducing new words to your child's vocabulary and promoting
literacy. Following steps in the recipe can work on listening skills.
Encourage an adventurous palate. Preschoolers
are notoriously picky eaters, and bringing them into the kitchen to cook
can help get them to open up to new tastes. When your 3-year-old daughter
plays chef she might sample dishes she wouldn't try if you just served them
to her. Encourage your child to taste new ingredients you're working with
and talk about what they like and how healthy foods make a body grow.
Help young children explore with their senses. Children
learn by exploring with their senses and the kitchen is an ideal place to
do that. Invite them to listen to the sound of the mixer, pound dough and
watch it rise, smell it baking in the oven, and finally taste the warm
bread fresh from the oven. If it smells good, looks appealing, and is easy
to eat they just may be willing to try it!
Boost confidence. Preschoolers love to show
what they can do and working in the kitchen provides opportunities to gain
a sense of accomplishment. If they helped assemble the pizza, let them
know that their help was important. You could name the pizza or another
dish after your child. Serve "Will's Pizza" or "Ella's
Salad" for dinner tonight. Even if the end results are not exactly
what you expected, praise their efforts.
Ideal Jobs for Preschoolers in the Kitchen. A
few tasks in the kitchen are particularly well-suited to children ages 3 to
5. The key is to give them "jobs" that meet their skill level and
are something they enjoy. If your child loves to pound, bring out the bread
dough and let your preschooler pound away.
Here
are some other ways kids can help:
· Stir
pancake batter
· Tear lettuce
for salad
· Add
ingredients
· Assemble a
pizza
· Help you
"read" a cookbook by turning the pages
· Wash fruits
and vegetables
· Mash soft
fruits and vegetables
· Decorate
desserts
· Cut soft foods with a dull or plastic knife
Getting Started
Simple
tasks like pouring liquid into the bowl, sprinkling cheese on top of the
casserole, or using cookie cutters are a good fit for most preschoolers.
Don't plan an elaborate project — 5 to 10 minutes might be all your child
wants to spend on an activity. Start small and keep it fun. As children
grow, they will develop the skills, attention span, and interest to do
larger cooking jobs, like squeezing the juice out of a lemon, measuring
ingredients into cups and spoons, and beating eggs or mashing potatoes.
Preschoolers will also enjoy learning with you.
For safety reasons, you should be in the kitchen
with them at all times, supervising and monitoring progress.
Derived from: KidsHealth.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/cooking_preschool.htmlcooking_preschool.html
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SUGGESTED READING
Some excellent books available at the State Libraries:
· Berenstain Bears Cook It by Stan & Jan Berenstain
· The Fairy Berry Bake Off by Daisy Alberto
· Edward Unready for School by Rosemary Wells
· Louder, Lili by Gennifer Choldenko
· Bernard Goes to School by Joan Elizabeth Goodman
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"A PARENT ASKS"
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Q: How can I help my
shy child feel more comfortable and make friends at a new school?
A: As your child moves through the preschool years, behavior that
seemed natural and even expected of a toddler— clinging to your leg when a
stranger approaches, weeping over every good-bye, refusing to join in group
activities— may seem less acceptable now. But during the preschool years,
most children are still learning how to interact in social situations. Many
will be bashful with new people— especially in unfamiliar settings.
Eventually, however, they'll learn to acclimate.
Sign your child up with
a friend.
Starting
preschool with at least one familiar face can make all the difference. Ask
the teachers if any of his classmates live near you and arrange a few play dates before
school starts. This way, your child will know a couple of children among
the sea of strangers on the first day.
Take a class tour. He'll be more relaxed if he
spends some time in his classroom and meets the teacher before his first
day so he feels more at ease in his new surroundings.
Enlist an older sibling. If your
shy child has a brother or sister in the same school, ask the older child
to look out for the younger one. A friendly wave or a knowing glance — even
if it's just in passing — can provide a momentary break from the fear of
not fitting in.
Create a good-bye ritual. Sneaking
away when you think he won't notice can backfire — he may be upset that he
didn't get to hug or kiss you before you left, and you could end up
undermining his trust in you. Also, let him know when he can expect to be
picked up (for instance, after naptime or after outdoor playtime).
Make
friends. Introduce him to one potential friend at a time. Don't expect
much at the first meeting. It may take several short get-togethers before
both children click. If your child can form an attachment with one child,
he'll learn more about how to handle himself socially, and his friend will
help him enter a larger group when the time comes. He may also benefit from
playing with children of different ages. An older child can take the lead
and break the ice, while a younger child may look up to your child,
boosting his confidence.
Derived from: BabyCenter (www.babycenter.com/0_shyness_65573.bc)
Summer activity ideas for you and your child:
· Plant flowers or vegetables
· Have a picnic in your community park
· Visit the animals at the zoo
· Have a scavenger hunt
· Go on an outdoor bug hunt
· Attend story time at your local library
· Build a fort
· Visit the local humane society
· Hike a kid-friendly trail
· Build an obstacle course in the yard
· Build and fly a kite
· Play tourist in your own town
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"PARENTS WANT TO KNOW"
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Reading is Fun!
It’s never too early to teach your child that reading can be a lot
of fun! It can also be a wonderful bonding experience!
Develop
a routine: Children enjoy knowing what their day will be like. Make
reading a part of their routine; whether it’s before bed, after a bath, or
during snack, make sure that you remain consistent.
Get
cozy: Enjoy the closeness of reading together. Sit with your child on a
comfy couch or on a blanket under a tree. Make yourselves comfortable and
enjoy the moment. Children will learn to associate reading with leisure and
pleasure.
Connect
the dots: Help your child make the connection between reading and
learning. If they have an interest in pets, have them read about a variety
of animals. If you are going on a trip, read about the place you’ll be
visiting.
Give
‘series’ a chance: Children like to hear the same stories over and over
again. If you introduce them to a series, you can bring the familiarity
your child craves without losing your mind. Same characters, different
stories, it’s a win-win situation!
The Parent Line: Free statewide phone line for parents and
others caring for children. Call for support, encouragement, information,
and ideas about handling behavior or about community resources. Mon-Fri 8
a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m.-1p.m. O'ahu Ph. 526-1222. Neighbor Island
parents call toll-free: 1-800-816-1222.
H-KISS information line for parents of children 0-3 with
special needs. Hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. O'ahu:
594-0066; Neighbor Island parents may call toll free: 1-800-235-5477.
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SAFETY WORKS
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The kitchen can be a great place to spend time with your child but
it can also be the most dangerous room in the house. It is very important
to supervise your child at all times while in the kitchen. Be sure to
regularly talk to your child about the dangers of the kitchen. Explain to
your child what is hot, sharp, should not be touched, etc. Use good
judgment when deciding which kitchen items are safe for your child. For
example, if your child would like to cut something, give your child a
soft food item that can be cut with a plastic or dull knife. If you are going to have your child
stir/mix something, have your child stir/mix cold food items that are not
on the stove top. Give your child metal or plastic utensils, bowls, and
measuring cups to use so they will not break if they fall. Don’t allow
your child to plug in appliances and be sure to cover outlets with safety
plugs.
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