Helping in the Kitchen

Having your young child help you in the kitchen is a good way to get your child to try new foods. Kids feel good about doing something “grown-up.” Give them small jobs to do and praise their efforts. Children are much less likely to reject foods they helped prepare. While the following suggestions are typical, children may develop these skills at different ages. Make sure they wash their hands before helping.

At 2 years:

• Wipe tables
• Hand items to adult to put away (such as after grocery shopping)
• Place things in trash
• Tear lettuce or greens
• Make “faces” out of pieces of fruits and vegetables
• Rinse vegetables or fruits
• Snap green beans

At 3 years - all that a 2 year old can do, plus:

• Scoop or mash potatoes
• Squeeze citrus fruits
• Stir batter

At 4 years - all that a 3 year old can do, plus:

• Peel eggs and some fruits, such as oranges and bananas
• Set and clear the table
• Pour drinks into sturdy glasses
• Crack eggs (in a separate bowl)
• Help measure dry ingredients
• Help make sandwiches and tossed salads

At 5 years - all that a 4 year old can do, plus:

• Measure liquids
• Cut soft fruits with a dull knife
• Use an egg beater
• Load the dishwasher
• Grease or spray baking pans
• Press and knead dough
• Name and count foods
• Help assemble a pizza