Different Ways to Instill Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Your Children :
Eat at least one meal a day as a family:
Eating at least one meal a day as a family ensures that your child is making healthy choices during that time of the day. This also gives you the opportunity to lead by example and use the opportunity to teach your children about food choices and healthy portion sizes. By modeling healthy cooking habits in the home, you are helping transfer your choices into your child’s lifelong habits.
your Kids learn in the Kitchen:
Inviting Children into your kitchen can be a very positive experience for both children and their parents. It does not matter what you cook or how old your child is. When you invite your kids into the kitchen, they will learn more than just how to cook a meal. Research shows that through this activity, children learn a deeper level of Intimacy and Emotional Intelligence, among fine motor skills and literacy skills.
Science or Literacy anyone? Reading and following recipes highly improves the understanding of mathematical skills and reading skills of children. Let them spell it out… or write the shopping list. How fun!
• If you prepare and eat foreign food, children are exposed to different languages, different cultures, ??and some culinary vocabulary will stick, that goes beyond “spaghetti bolognese”, we promise.
• The preparation of cooking and hygiene improves the organizational understanding of your helper. Have them put away dishes, play with table settings, and let them name the cooking tools. What a fun way to be engaged. Following a recipe can be quite interesting, and your child will learn to adapt to follow directions.
• If your child is included in the preparation of the food, it is proven to show healthier eating habits later in life. Can’t argue that!
• Cooking together also conveys a sense of responsibility, “the team spirit”. In addition, many happy childhood memories go back to work on a project with their family – how about a family dinner night? Let’s make this a regular experience.
For preschoolers, learning is woven into developing fine motor skills and, through the counting of ingredients, a basic mathematical understanding is of relevance. Elementary school students appreciate the other hand, a deepening of reading abilities and strange flavors. In contrast, young children learn things that go beyond the food. Especially cross-cultural interest is created by culinary diversity. Moreover, teenagers will always appreciate the feeling of responsibility awarded. Trust them with something they wouldn’t expect you to trust them.
If one wants to cook with children, bear a few things in mind. First, ask them what they like to eat. That gives them a sense of self-control. Read the recipe together and prepare the ingredients together, to foster a team experience. Finally, and perhaps most importantly: have fun!
There are, however, a few things to consider, when creating a meal with very young children — those four steps are vitally important because of:
Safety …
… is the most important and can not even be stressed enough. Chemicals and sharp objects should not be in hands of unsupervised children – no matter how responsible the child may feel.
For cleanliness …
… Ensure at all times. Solid cleaning is necessary and your child can be included. No need to use harsh chemicals – simply use essential oils or vinegars mixed with water, to do the trick!
Variety …
… is the key when dealing with little ones. Otherwise they will quickly feel distracted and refuse to cooperate.
Smart shopping …
… and keeping smart snacks around is key when your little one has a sweet tooth. Grab carrots or corn for “sweet” taste, and be sure to include a variety of textures as well.
Now have fun, and remember to play it safe!