First, two crockpot reviews. Both two thumbs up! Beef Stroganoff and Pulled Pork. Visit
Kelly Noel's blog b/c she shared both in one post and her family liked them too {which prompted me to make both in just one week}.
Monday: Bagels & Cream Cheese for the girls, Turkey Sandwich for me, fruit for all {Dave is working late and we have soccer + dance}
Tuesday: Baked Chicken Casserole {chicken, cream of chicken soup, topped with prepared Stovetop Dressing}, chicken nuggets for the kiddos, and a veggie
Wednesday: Hamburgers and Sausage on the grill, sauteed onions and peppers
Thursday: Pasta {I have to make a dish for the Teachers' Conference at school so I will reserve a bit at home for us, most likely a version of
Baked Tortellini} + salad and garlic bread
Friday: ??
Dan, a wonderful gentleman from the Primrose Schools asked me if I would be willing to share an article about cooking with children. My girls love to cook with me, especially to help prepare baked items like cupcakes and brownies but they also enjoy preparing the batter for pancakes and other items. Oh, and pudding. They are expert pudding makers :) I still hesitate to allow them to do much on the stove top but honestly they seem content in the prep department for now.
From Dan:
Family
Safety: Cooking with Children
Submitted by
Dan Gilbert on behalf of Primrose Schools. For over 25 years, they have helped
individuals achieve higher levels of success by providing them with an
AdvancED® accredited, early child care services and education. Through an
accelerated Balanced Learning® curriculum, Primrose Schools students are
exposed to a widely diverse range of subject matter giving them a much greater
opportunity to develop mentally, physically and socially. Dan has written a number
of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the
importance of volunteering.
The kitchen is a fascinating yet
dangerous arena for a child’s curiosity with its activities and aromas. However
the threat of potential hazards lessens when children are taught to be aware of
the dangers and risks posed in the kitchen. There are many kid-friendly recipes
that can be used when cooking/baking with your preschool child. Children do not
need to be swept out of the kitchen when you are cooking. Instead engage your
child, no matter what age he or she is, and teach them something new while
spending time together that might otherwise be lost.
Dr.
Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Schools, says time spent in the kitchen is a great way for families to
share their day and thoughts with each other. Children develop a sense of
responsibility and family by sharing in daily tasks. They earn a sense of self
worth when taking part in helping to prepare meals.
Not only can children learn basic
skills in the kitchen, they can also begin to learn the importance of
nutrition. It may seem a bit early to be teaching a toddler about nutrition,
but it is never to early. The earlier on in life children learn to eat healthy
the more of a habit and less of a struggle it will become. For example, allow
your child to take part in preparing his/her lunchbox. This will give your
youngster a sense of accomplishment. When he or she opens the box at lunchtime
they will feel proud of what they created, nutritional value aside.
1. Plan meals with the children’s capabilities in mind. Begin by assigning them
simple things to do. Bringing a pot holder to the cook shows them the need for
it. Think about what needs to be done each section of the meal. Opening boxes
and pouring ingredients into a bowl are satisfying to a little one. Laying
biscuits in a pan, adding sprinkles to sweets or shaking parmesan cheese onto
pasta are other safe, satisfying tasks children can easily accomplish.
2. Set some ground rules as they learn to be aware of their surroundings.
Children need supervision but even more so when they’re in the kitchen. Teach
children to wash their hands before and after handling food to prevent illness.
Remind them not to touch their face, hair or family pet while cooking. Tell
them why handles of pots and pans are turned inward on the stovetop while
cooking. Show them how to pour over the counter or sink so it won’t end up on
the floor. Keep kitchen drawers closed so food doesn’t end up inside them.
Simple rules but it’s the little things that mean so much.
3. Build up skills step-by-step. Increase their involvement of food preparation
as they grow, teaching them how to read recipes and hone their math skills with
measuring ingredients. Checking the flame or temperature in the oven are
essential tasks in the kitchen. Knife handling should only be done by older
children with proven coordination. A potato peeler or cheese grater is an
easier task but still can be dangerous if not handled correctly. As they
increase their knowledge and talents, they become more comfortable with the
cooking process and may want to complete a dish or meal on their own!
4. Keep it fun. By giving them tasks in the kitchen they can do and do well,
they’ll want to help instead of wandering off. A rushed meal is not fun, orders
issued during cooking is not fun. Remember you are the adult, they are still
learning. Setting the table can be daunting and overwhelming. Give them
examples. Create menus with the children in mind. Every-so-often bake a cake or
whip up cinnamon buns on a whim and invite them to help. Most importantly, give
appreciation to your child by remembering to thank them for their contribution.
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