Did you know that cooking with your kids is a natural way for them to develop motor skills? If you've never looked at cooking that way before, think again. There's a reason why kids have a universal love for cooking - just like for stacking blocks and banging!
Cooking is especially good for preschoolers and here's how:
1. Two year olds are developing large muscles in their arms: They will enjoy stirring and stirring and stirring :-). My two year old is always asking to stir; and her subconscious knows why! At 2 years old, a child naturally imitates circular strokes as part of their normal physical development. So, let them stir at every opportunity.
Here are some ways to encourage arm muscle development through cooking:
2. Two year olds are developing the ability to turn pages: Another motor skill developed during the preschool age is the ability to turn pages.
So - just pondering here...is it the story they love so much or just turning the pages of the book? Well, actually both. They need the motor development of turning the pages; and the pictures and vocabulary improve their intellectual development.
3. Two year olds love "patting" and "pressing": From being fascinated with "patty-cake" chants at an early age, preschooler's still love to pat and press.
I'm sure you'll recognize your preschooler doing this at the park: scooping up rocks or sand, piling them up, and patting the top into different shapes.
Well, here's some suggestions to bring the "patting" inside:
4. Two year olds love to dip - and this develops arm muscles skills too!: it takes a lot of coordination to dip! Getting the food in the dip, then moving the arm and somehow getting it into your mouth. If it wasn't difficult, they wouldn't get food all over their face! :-)
So, unless your 2 year old always has a clean face when he or she is done eating, here's some dipping opportunities:
So, instead of "shooing" your preschoolers and 2 year olds out of the kitchen, let them dive in with these simple tasks that not only give them great pleasure, but help them develop their age appropriate motor skills.
About The Author
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com
affordable house cleaning Wilmette .."Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More
You know that children can get into trouble. The older... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
Q. We are getting to the stage with our kids... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy,... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
Does your child pout, blame and brood? Does he gripe,... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy,... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
Parenting |