I’ll be honest with you, I am no cooking-with-toddler expert or any kind of chef. In fact, I was pretty nervous to involve Ruby (currently 16 months old) in the kitchen at all. So, if you want some real advice from a real mom on cooking, baking or involving your toddler in the kitchen, then you have come to the right place.
The first time I baked with Ruby was right before Halloween and we made pumpkin shaped sugar cookies. We used Pillsbury already made dough and rolled it out, cut it with cookie cutters, and then decorated after they were baked. It was pretty simple.
This experience was not a total disaster so I thought I would try it again. I had a little inspiration from my mom who gifted us Mommy and Me matching aprons and gave me some ripe bananas to make banana bread. I was inspired and really wanted to wear our matching aprons. Plus, I have been watching way too much Great British Baking Show.
Even if the bread didn’t turn out great, at least we looked cute. That’s what matters right?
The banana bread didn’t taste that great in the end, but I think it has something to do with the recipe we used, not our baking skills. So, after two fairly successful baking with a toddler experiences, here are some of my tips.
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Preparation
I planned ahead which steps I wanted Ruby’s help with and then prepared the rest. Just know they do not have to be included in every part of the recipe. If you want to start really slow, just have them help with mixing or pouring in one ingredient.
If you are really motivated you can have them help with all the measuring, pouring, and mixing, but I still suggest you prepare by having all of your ingredients ready and knowing your recipe.
I pre-measured the ingredients (super helpful!) and had all the dry ingredients mixed and ready to go.
Have Supplies Nearby
It is also important to prepare your ingredients, supplies, and workspace. Make sure everything is nearby because you don’t want to leave your toddler too far away to get something.
Also, think about supplies like what you will mix with, where you will put eggshells or other trash, and any clean up supplies you may need. I almost always have a wet washcloth ready to go for spills and toddler clean up.
Prepare the Environment
Decide where you will be cooking or baking and make sure it is prepared so that your child will be successful.
We did this by going down to her level and using her Sprout Kids Weaning table. Others may have a learning tower or stool so their toddler can help at the counter. Wherever you decide to work, make sure it is conducive to the toddler’s helping independently and not with a bunch of adult support.
We also prepared by wearing our matching aprons. Ok, so they aren’t just for looks. By wearing the aprons, I wasn’t worried about getting our clothes dirty and therefore I could focus on the task and not on the mess.
Another aspect that helps your toddler’s success is having tools their size. Using spatulas, whisks, or spoons that are their size will help them physically manage the tools and therefore get less frustrated.
Sprout Kids Weaning Table and Chair
Sprout Kids Sous-Chef Toddler Tower
Be Prepared for mess
That brings me to the next tip: be prepared for a mess. There will be a mess. You may have a whole cup of oil spilled on the counter. You may have flour all over the floor. You may have to scoop out eggshells from the batter. It will be ok. Toddlers are washable and so are your floors.
Once you come to peace with the mess, you will have so much more fun!
Set Realistic expectations
You are cooking with toddlers and not sous chefs, make sure your expectations match that reality so that you don’t get frustrated and disappointed. Try to laugh when your toddler just tries to eat the ingredients the whole time instead of mixing. Have fun and don’t try to rush each step.
The frosting might have little fingerprints, sprinkles might be all over or in clumps rather than neatly dispersed, the banana bread might taste a little stodgy, or you might have flat biscuits.
Don’t worry about the end result…unless you are seriously preparing to be on the Great British Baking Show.
Model the Process
Modeling is such a powerful tool when it comes to teaching and learning. With toddlers less words and more demonstrating is much more effective. Show your toddler how to stir, smash, sprinkle, pour, or crack and egg. You can use hand over hand demonstration as well.
With Ruby I showed her how to smash the bananas with the potato masher and said, “Smash, smash, smash” while I smashed. Then I demonstrated stirring and said, “Stir, stir, stir” and then said, “Your turn.” She imitated not only the stirring motion, but also repeated “Stir, stir, stir.”
Toddlers are very observant and great at imitating, so try to demonstrate the process. You can also narrate all the things you do without their help.
“Ok, I am going to measure the cinnamon, we need one teaspoon of cinnamon.”
“Now, I need to pour in all the dry ingredients, maybe you can help me with this part.”
“The batter is ready for the oven, careful it is hot, Mommy will do this part.”
By narrating the process you will be bathing them in language, which they will soak in and begin to use.
Have fun
Be sure that you take some time to actually enjoy yourselves. It will be busy, messy, and maybe even a little chaotic, but try to find the humor and fun within the chaos. If you are not having fun, then it is probably not worth it.
Sprout Kids Weaning Table and Chair
Sprout Kids Sous-Chef Toddler Tower
Why should I involve my toddler in the kitchen?
Cooking and baking with toddlers is not a mandatory activity, but it does have many benefits and can lead to some really memorable experiences for both you and them.
Some of the Benefits of Including Toddlers in the kitchen
- Practical life skills: pouring, measuring, scooping, stirring, cutting, cleaning up
- Number recognition and counting
- Pre-reading skills: letters and words carry meaning, seeing words in print other than in picture books
- Following step-by-step directions
- Focus on a task
- Pride in their work
- Self-confidence (Hey, I made that!)
- Bonding with a parent or caregiver
- Creating lasting memories
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