Kids in the Kitchen and Valentine's Day Choc-Dipped Strawberries.

You may have wondered why I have included a section for recipes on this website.  If you are expecting inspiration for a gourmet dinner party or fine dining experience, then you will be disappointed.  

The recipe section of this website aims to encourage kids into the kitchen to assist and perhaps manage some recipes independently. 

The benefits of encouraging kids in the kitchen are well documented, beginning with nutrition and meal preparation. Healthy eating and nutrition is an important issue we discuss as a society with the rise of childhood obesity.  Introducing kids to ingredients and how to use them is so important in helping them along the path of healthy eating.  

Meal preparation is a skill for life that should not be underestimated.  Here are more benefits...

Your Kids OT

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From an OT's perspective, here are a few benefits of involving kids in the kitchen: -
 * Motor skills - Eye/hand coordination, pouring, cutting, bilateral coordination, finger isolation and manual dexterity.
* Concepts and Cognition - learning about measurements, size, colour, shape, temperature and time. Attention and concentration are also important skills that can be developed in the kitchen.
* Sensory skills - a variety of textures can be experienced in the kitchen when using your hands as well as in your mouth with tasting.
* Social skills - turn taking, waiting, cooperation, language development, sharing, time with other family members in a shared experience.
* Planning and organisation - planning and organisation of ingredients, equipment and time; sequencing the procedure, motor planning in relation to equipment and ingredients.
* Personal skills - self confidence, sense of achievement, sense of belonging to a family, independence and responsibility.

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So now that you are convinced that your child can help in the kitchen, how can you make it happen?  
1. Consider your child's safety and use commonsense with knives, electrical appliances, stoves and ovens.  Adult supervision should always be available.
2. Consider suitable work surfaces and accessibility for your child (e.g.  Standing on a stool at a kitchen benchtop or sitting at a dining table.)
3. Expect mess!
4. Consider the number of children who are cooking and their various ages.  What can each child be involved with doing?
5. Choose easy recipes with quick results (eg. a dip or milkshake). 
6. Expect mess!
7. Expect short attention spans and taste testing {probably before the recipe is complete}.

So, what can they do? The following age guides are guides only.  As a child gains experience in the kitchen, they may be capable of more than the suggestions listed below. 

Age guide for Kids in the Kitchen...

2 year olds
* pouring, mixing, tearing, spreading, scooping
* using hands to squeeze, knead, push
* placing cupcake liners in tray
* helping to make choices (eg. flavours, colours)
* taste tester
* wiping the table

3 year olds
* managing fine motor tasks with smaller ingredients
* sorting, mixing, beating, scrubbing, tearing, dipping, spreading, shaking
* locating equipment in the kitchen
* picking herbs
* cracking an egg
* setting the table
* turning on some electrical appliances (eg. slow cooker, electric steamer and rice cooker, blender).

4 year olds
* spreading, sprinkling, scooping, mashing, whisking
* starting to use a butter knife to chop and dice
* helping to select recipes

5 year olds and up
* reading recipe: collecting ingredients and equipment needed
* measuring quantities
* setting timers
* using the microwave
* stirring a pot on the stove
* using oil sprays

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Valentine's Day Choc-dipped strawberries.

A last minute romantic gesture or a pre-planned surprise.  Your loved ones will be none the wiser.  Choc-dipped strawberries look great and will be a hit for the sweet tooth.  

This is a quick and easy recipe for you to do with your children today.  Download it free from the Your Kids OT shop.  There are step by step instructions with photographs for each step.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your Kids OT