The CACFP Kids in the  Kitchen
​ Adventure Begins Right Here

CACFP Kids in the Kitchen


​The kitchen can be a fascinating place for young kids.
 It isn't always convenient to invite them into the kitchen to help, but consider doing so when time allows. Lets find out what's developmentally appropriate and then apply what works in your own environment and/or share.

See what's happening on Facebook's CACFPKids in the Kitchen 

Kitchen Helper Activities

Get your preschooler to try new foods by having them help you in the kitchen. Kids feel good about doing something “grownup.” Give them small jobs to do. Praise their efforts. Children are less likely to reject foods that they help to make. As preschoolers grow, they are able to help out with different tasks in the kitchen. While the following suggestions are typical, children may develop these skills at different ages.  Download and Share with providers and parents.

Kids Will Make a Mess

Kids will not be neat in the Kitchen.
  • Start with simple recipes.
  • To make your experience together more enjoyable; allow for some extra time and mess. Patience required.
  • To prevent cooking disasters, be sure your child isn't measuring ingredients over the bowl — risking a big oops.  Measure them separately and put them in prep bowls.
  • Remember child developmentally appropriate tasks and tools.
  • Keep the mood light and fun.
  • Little by little, kids will gain skills — and feel great when they have mastered them.
  • Compliment the chefs on a job well done,  let them have the first taste of whatever you cooked together and maybe serve it--
  • Ask what everyone should make together next time.
  https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cooking-preschool.html

                        Bon appetit! Buen Provecho! Disfrute de su comida! 
​                                     Enjoy your meal! Happy eating!
​Cooking provides many opportunities for using all the senses - tasting, smelling, touching, seeing and hearing.
​
Measuring, weighing and following sequential steps interest the child who is most comfortable with math and logic.
​
The picture cooking method for many recipes is perfect for the child who visualizes things in order to understand and produce them. Cooking in a classroom is a great opportunity for many children who learn best by working with others. The main point of cooking with children is to have an enjoyable time together.

​Try the USDA picture cooking method: Look and Cook Recipes 
​[English on one side, Spanish on the reverse]

Learn with Flash Cards

PictureDownload Flash Cards
     
​        Available in Spanish

Own Learning Pace 

Each child has their own learning pace
2-year-old can:
  • wipe table tops 
  • snap green beans
  • break cauliflower 
  • wash salad greens
  • scrub vegetables 
  • put bread in the toaster
  • make funny faces on foods
3-year-olds additional activities such as:
  • spread soft spreads 
  • place things in the trash
  • pour liquids 
  • mix ingredients
  • pour cereal 
  • clear their place at the table
  • dump and stir
4-year-olds additional activities such as:
  • peel oranges 
  • mash bananas using a fork
  • set the table 
  • peel hard-cooked eggs
  • knead dough 
  • unload the dishwasher
  • layer yogurt parfaits
5 to 6-year-olds additional activities such as:
  • measure ingredients 
  • use an egg beater
  • break eggs into bowl 
  • cut with a blunt knife
7-11-year olds  additional activities such as:
  • Planning the family meal
  • Following a simple recipe
  • Finding ingredients in the cupboards and fridge
  • Using a peeler
  • Whisking, using a balloon whisk or handheld mixer
  • Using heat on a hob, oven and microwave
  • Making salads
  • Opening cans

Cookbooks for Kids

More ideas for kids cookbooks:
  • Pizza! An Interactive Recipe Book, there are also ones for Tacos and Pancakes, Lotta Nieminen
  • Complete Children’s Cookbook by DK
  • Disney’s Family Cookbook, Deanna F. Cook
  • W. Sonoma:Kids in the Kitchen Fun Food
  • A First Cookbook for Children,Evelyne Johnson, Christopher Santoro
  1. Virginia Early Childhood Development Alignment Program. Milestones of child development- A guide to young children’s learning and development from birth to kindergarten. 2009. (cited 26 July 2013). Available from: (URL Link)
  2. Queensland Studies Authority. Scope and Sequence- Mathematics- Years 1-9- Number. 2008. (cited 9 March 2014) Available from: (URL Link)
  3. KidsHealth.org
  4. Picture Cooking-USDA Team Nutrition 
  5. Good Food Channel