Kids in the Kitchen

I never liked math as a kid.  In fact, I distinctly remember thinking “Why do I have to learn this?  I’ll never use it.” 

Okay, laugh all you want.  I now know just how wrong I was.  We use it every day in so many ways.

When my children began crawling, they were allowed to play with all the plastic bowls and lids in the kitchen cabinet.  So, while I cooked or cleaned the kitchen, they were right there where I could watch them as they learned to pull things out and then to put them away. They learned how to sort and stack by size and to recognize different shapes. That’s math!

“Kids in the kitchen” is one of my favorite opportunities to teach, get creative, and spend quality time together.  And guess what?  They learn math and science basics while having fun!  For example, my daughter, as a toddler, learned how to measure, mix with a spoon and whisk, watch vinegar and soda react like a volcano, and even crack eggs without getting the shells in the mix (which is still hard for some adults).  She liked the smell of all the different spices, so one day I let her mix up some cookies with no help from me.  I told her whatever she mixed up, we would bake and sample!  Did I mention she was only three? 

We both learned from that little experiment.  Pickling spice does not make a delicious cookie!  But it was a wonderful experience, we both loved it, and it makes me laugh every time I think about it.

I am proud to say both my children are now amazing cooks who are not afraid to experiment and try new recipes.  I would say they both are better cooks than I ever was.  In fact, they enjoy teaching me new things in the kitchen now like sous vide cooking and air frying!  I love it!

What’s your favorite “kids in the kitchen” story?