Teaching Kids Wisdom in the
Home
“Kids are our future, and if we
don’t take care of them and teach them about food and how to feed themselves,
then we are shortening their lives. Get your kids to help you in the kitchen::
Food skills are life skills, just as important as reading or math. Cooking Also
builds confidence and a sense of responsibility. There is nothing more
responsible then doing the washing up.
– Jaimie Oliver
Everyday Food Magazine September 2012
Issue.
When I saw this quote from Jaimie I
loved it. It has now become my favorite quote.. A lot of wisdom if found in the
kitchen. As a child my mom always included my siblings and I in the kitchen. We
raised a huge garden, and I remember planting, picking and help canning the
vegetables. Everyone was involved in doing this.
My mom’s kitchen was always open to
everyone. My siblings and I knew we could always cook in there. I firmly believe
that it is an important part of childhood. I think that it’s also has helped my
love of cooking. I think every child needs a chance to experiment in the
kitchen.
I really believe that its important
to involve your kids in the kitchen. You would be amazed at what they can do,
and what they can help you with. I involve my four year old and two year old in
the kitchen. My four year old Meghan LOVES cooking. I have let her help make
cake, rice, grilled cheese etc. Of course I do help her but I let her do most of
it. When my mom comes to our house her and Meghan make cupcakes. It is their
special thing together. It’s something they both treasure. My oldest is so proud
when she makes something.
I think having them help in the
kitchen, to make dinner, help with vegetables will help them want to eat what
they made. Try it it works 🙂 You can make it fun. If they have helped make a
special dish, then they will be more willing to eat it. You can set out spices
that would go well with the dish and let them choose which one they want to put
in. It will make them feel like they made something. I also let my kids taste
the spices if they want. I think it helps them to develop tastes for different
flavors.
Teach Your children where food comes
from. Growing up we had we had a pig named Skittles.. He got that name because
we fed him skittles and other things. LOL When he got to a good weight we then
butchered him and had him for meat in our freezer. My parents taught my
siblings and I that the pig was raised for meat to feed us over the months to
come. I don’t ever remember being upset about it. We just knew that’s whats
happening. We raised chickens not just for eggs but for meat as well. I have
memories of butchering chickens with my parents and siblings. It was our job to
take the feathers off the chicken. You might think how horrible it is but it
really is not. It taught us in the end where our meat comes from. We also
butchered deer for meat as well. We had goats for milk as well. I look upon
those memories with fondness..and for that I am thankful for what my parents
taught us.
I took those memories and used them to
raise our kids. Last summer my kids and Johnny raised a tote garden. We live in
an apartment so we really could not use the ground. We taught the girls how to
plant the vegetables, what each plant was, how to water it, and how to pick it.
They were so excited when our plants decided to produce fruit. The kids also
learned how to make pickles. I look at it with so much memories because that is
what my mom did for me. They learned that you don’t have to just go buy pickles
from the store.
Another important aspect is family
dinners. Growing up my mom always made sure there was dinner at the table. We as
a family set down to eat dinner….No distractions. We were able to laugh, joke
and talk about things. It was an awesome thing. We had many fond memories
gathered around the table. It instilled in us a sense of family and a pride in
our family.. Now that I have my own family I do the same thing. My four year old
and two year old know how to set the table. I allow them to set the table in
their own way. If it is wacky I leave it. You know why? Because they did it and
they are proud of what they have done.. They get so excited to tell their Papa
when he gets home that they set the table. We sit down at the table and enjoy
family time. My kids beg for sitting at the table together. So, please make
time to sit around the table as a family.
If you have gained anything from this
post I hope that you learned these things:
– Involve your kids
in the kitchen and in making food.
– Teach your kids
where food comes from.
– Spend time around
the table.
Great article. Although I don’t have any children, I love cooking with my nieces and nephews.. I just did an article on my blog about making fudge with my niece. It is a time to bond, and give lessons. Also for me it was a time to pass the lesson that my mother gave me to her grandchildren as I know that she would have loved to cook and bake with them if she was still alive… Marlys
Great article Lysska!