The kitchen is not just the heart of the home, think of it as one of the first classrooms for your child–so much development happens right there, creating a foundation of learning and promoting readiness for kindergarten.
Will you be making some special treats for Valentine’s? While having your child ” help” in the kitchen needs extra supervision for safety, there are some “cooking” things that even little ones can do. For a cool red treat that doesn’t need anything hot, put a plastic bowl of cool water in the sink and let your child rinse off a few strawberries. With a bit of yogurt dip, this makes a yummy dessert or snack.
What are some learning opportunities for children? Lots of language for sure; just think of all the special words rinse, bowl, stir, dip, plate, etc. Sizes: small, big, tiny, bigger than, smaller than, and just right. There’s lots of comparing of sizes and measuring. “Look at this strawberry, it’s as big as the dip bowl.” We don’t think of having places where things go as a skill to be learned, but this is a basic system of organization. Just think of how many grownup activities depend on a system. Counting, sorting, colors, and shapes are some math skills that kids can practice in the kitchen. Listening, talking, and watching are some more. Children also learn about sharing and working together in the kitchen. These are valuable social skills. That’s only a few of the things that kids can learn in the kitchen.
Do you have any other sweet ideas for kindergarten readiness in the kitchen?
