Toddler Girl baking muffins with Grampa

I’m loving being Mommy to a two year old!  Not only does Toddler Girl enjoy art projects these days, she also looooves to help with cooking.  Here are some things I’ve learned from our kitchen adventures together.

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1) Be Relaxed – Remember that they are just little and won’t do things perfectly.  Also, they will usually make a bit of a mess even if they are trying really hard not to.  Such is life with a toddler.  Embrace the imperfections; not all the cookies need to be the same size!


Helping Gramma set up a fruit platter (and stealing orange slices!)

2) Be Consistent – Little people thrive on routine.  If you let them stir one time and not the next, there will probably be tears.  Also, you need to model what you want them to do as much as possible.  If you don’t want them to chow down on the cookie dough, they best not catch you doing it!  If you think something is a bad idea (anything to do with the frying pan?), tell them “no” every time and they will often stop asking.


Helping Daddy do the dishes

3) Use cooking as a learning tool – There are so many things to learn while cooking!  We are currently working on counting and colours.  And of course, she’s learning about all kinds of food.  I tell her everything I’m doing as I do it. Maybe she doesn’t understand it all yet, but she will!

mixing cupcake batter

4) Give them real jobs that are age appropriate – I’m currently letting her stir.  She has a small wooden spoon and a smallish whisk (it’s actually from my mixer) depending on what she’s mixing.  I fill up the measuring cups and spoons and we count together as she dumps them in (sometimes with help).  She gets to take pinches of kosher salt from the bowl.  Remember rule #2 — she notices if I add salt without letting her help!

5) Stay Safe – Obviously cooking is not without its hazards.  It’s best if you’ve taught them about the dangers of hot things and sharp things (and yucky things that you shouldn’t eat) before you start cooking together.  Never leave them alone on a chair or near a hot element.  Watch the puddles.  If you have a little person in your life you know that already, but still, accidents happen!

I love to cook, and it’s great to have my little sidekick in the kitchen with me!  They are such little sponges at this age and so eager to help, it’s the perfect age to start them on the path to loving good food and having fun making it.

Do you cook or plan to cook with your little one?