kitchen safety

Came across this article written by Julie Bosche, featured on spryliving.com.

Here are some kid-friendly kitchen duties for kids:

1. Set-up.Even the tiniest hands can gather the necessary ingredients for a recipe (except maybe the eggs), and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having everything you need at hand.
2. Measuring. A math lesson and a kitchen task in one! Older kids will feel particularly helpful with a measuring cup and a few pourable ingredients.
3. Pouring. Once everything is in place and you (or they) have measured out ingredients, let your kids pour them in the bowl. More fun—and far more practical—than playing with a sand-filled dump truck, this job is especially suited for younger children.
4. Stirring. Hand over a spoon or a whisk and let them have at it. Ignore the splashes and spatters that will probably happen; spills wipe off.
5. Washing. Fresh veggies need a good rinse, and it’s a perfect job to hand off to your kids. Give them a colander and a step-stool, if needed to reach the sink.
6. Crushing and pounding. These jobs are so satisfying you might not want to share them. But a recipe that calls for flattened chicken breasts or crushed nuts is a good way to show your kids the joy of going to town with a rolling pin.
7. Sprinkling and garnishing. Put kids in charge of sprinkling on a breadcrumb or shredded cheese topping, or hand them a few lemon slices or parsley leaves and let them get creative with garnishing a finished dish.
8. Table setting. It may not sound exciting, but it’s an important part of getting ready for the meal. To make it more interesting, let them fold the napkins however they want, create a centerpiece for the table. Disregard table-setting faux pas like forks being paired with spoons.
9. Serving. Older kids can use a ladle or serving utensils to help serve up the dishes you’ve prepared together. The job gives them a sense of ownership and a pleasant dose of responsibility.
10. Clean-up. One of the best perks to having your kids help in the kitchen? They’re more likely to engage in clean-up tasks with less moaning and groaning. Have them clean as you go during dinner prep so there’s less to do after the meal.