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Someone's In the Kitchen with Mommy
Cooking with Children
By Donna Smith
Helping create a wonderful meal can make a child feel wonderful about herself. When your child tells the whole family, "Look what I made!" she is proud. She has accomplished something -- something she can share with the whole family. The "oohs" and "ahhs" from the family as they eat the wonderful creation is a great self-esteem builder. You know how you feel when someone loves a dish you've made!
Children are more likely to eat a nutritious meal if they've had a hand in making it. Get kids familiar with healthy foods early. Show them how to wash the vegetables with a vegetable brush. Teach them how to peel an orange or pit an avocado. Some kids won't try new foods only because they have never been introduced to them. Try new things! How about a jicama? Maybe a mango or spaghetti squash? Everything is new to a young child. Don't just stop at the ordinary vegetables and fruits -- let them try everything once, even if you don't like it!
The next time you're running around the kitchen trying to get dinner ready in record time, stop. Go get your son or daughter and make it an evening neither one of you will forget.