Preschoolers love to be little chefs! They are able to assist with simple tasks in food preparation. Preschoolers excite in seeing ingredients magically transform into an edible dish. My little ones delight in learning what I deem as the “secret ingredient” for each recipe!

Preschoolers take great pleasure in being helpers at this age. (They are going to be in the kitchen staying close to you anyway, so you might as well put them to work!) Having a little one help with snack and food preparation is an excellent opportunity for you to engage them in learning the importance of safety, health and nutrition. Discuss colors, textures and aromas along the way. Start with simple tasks and progress as your child is capable.   

Safety:

• Have your child wash his or her hands with soap and water before handling food.
• Never allow your preschooler to touch knives or sharp utensils.
• Never allow your preschooler to touch appliances like mixers, choppers or food processors without constant supervision.
• Do not allow your preschooler to handle hot liquids or oils.
• Never allow your preschooler to touch the stove or oven.

Preschoolers kitchen activities:
1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Assemble child safe utensils, bowls and pans.
3. Assemble ingredients. You may want to have ingredients at child’s level ahead of time. Point out nutritional information such as what food group each belongs in.
4. Have your child assist with washing fruits and vegetables, squeezing fruits and tearing lettuce.
5. Have your child assist with measuring and adding ingredients. You may want to have some ingredients premeasured at first. Even a small child may be able to scoop, sift, and sprinkle.
6. Your child will be able to beat eggs and hand mix ingredients. (At first this task may be very messy! But such fun!)
7. Your child will be able to peel, cut with a dull knife and mash foods like bananas, hard boiled eggs, and cooked fruits and vegetables. Cut sandwiches and cheese slices with cookie cutters for fun!
8. Your child will love to knead and roll out dough (with help) and assemble foods which are layered such as a pizza or cheese on crackers. Allow your child to spread jelly, peanut butter, cream cheese, frosting, etc.
9. Have your preschooler help with wiping tables, throwing trash away and clean-up.
10. Have your preschooler prepare the table and present his masterpiece!  

Some easy recipes for preschool chefs:

Yogurt Parfait
   Layer in a clear glass:
   1/4 c. yogurt
   1/4 c. sliced fruit
   2 T. granola or any dry cereal

Fruit Smoothie for 2
   Blend together:
   1 c. frozen strawberries
   1/2 c. milk
   1/2 c. yogurt
   Pour into 2 glasses and share.

Ants On a Log
   Child washes 1 celery stalk. Mom cuts into smaller pieces. Child spreads
   each piece with peanut butter. Add raisins or dried fruit pieces on top for
   “ants.”

Snack Mix
   Mix together:
   1 c. honeynut Cheerios
   1 c. apple cinnamon Cheerios
   1 c. Special K
   1 c. raisins
   1 c. dried fruit pieces
   (May use a variety of other cereals.)

Pizza
   English muffins or bagels -cut in half (May use homemade pizza dough and
   divide into smaller rounds.)
   Place bread or pizzas on pizza or baking pan.
   Layer each with pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce.
   Sprinkle with shredded Mozzarella cheese.
   Add other toppings of your choice if desired.
   Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or as directed by your pizza dough
   recipe.

Fruit Salad
   Use a variety of your child’s favorite fruit cut into bite sized pieces.
   Mix together and serve. May serve with dip if desired.
   Child assembles and washes fruit. Child can peel bananas and cut up with
   dull knife while mom or dad cuts up other firmer fruit into small pieces.