Dinnertime: How to get your children involved in the kitchen

Making dinner is sometimes a chore for whomever is responsible for doing it.  But if everyone gets involved and has fun doing it, the job gets done quickly and there is a sense of pride and accomplishment when it comes time to sit down and eat.  There are jobs

In our house, our toddler Ethan has fun making the dinner salads.  After mom or dad cleans the lettuce (and Ethan's hands), Ethan adds the lettuce to the bowls.  He then puts in the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers that mom or dad have already cut up and shredded carrots.  Feeding into Ethan's love of pouring, dad puts a single serving of salad dressing in a small pitcher and Ethan pours the dressing on the salad.  Although this is an extra step that requires additional cleaning on the other end, it helps Ethan feel involved in making dinner.

For older children, snapping peas or beans, shucking corn, tossing salads or setting the table are ways to be involved.  And the sooner you start, the easier it is to find willing helpers at dinner.  Good luck!