Put leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours (one hour if it’s warmer than ninety degrees).Teach the importance of wiping down all surfaces and refrigerating perishables, such as eggs and milk, right away. There is a wide range of skills in this age group, so tailor your tasks to each individual's maturity level. Rinse and cut parsley or green onions with clean, blunt kitchen scissors.Deseed tomatoes and cooled, roasted peppers with a spoon.Scoop out avocados after sliced in half by an adult.Break eggs into a bowl and remember to wash hands afterwards.Use a peeler to peel raw potatoes, ginger, mangoes and other washed fruits and vegetables.Most 6-7 year olds have developed fine motor skills, so they can handle more detailed work, but they will still need food safety reminders. Cut cookies with fun shaped cookie cutters (but don't eat the raw dough!).Brush (or "paint") cooking oil with a clean pastry or basting brush on bread, asparagus or other foods.Mix ingredients like easy-to-mix batters.Wash fruits and vegetables in the sink with cool tap water.Make it a game by singing the "Happy Birthday" song together twice as you wash your hands. Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.Teach these youngsters the importance of washing produce and using clean appliances and utensils. Young children love helping out, but need very close adult supervision since their motor skills are still developing. These basics are helpful guidelines for children and adults of all ages. Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood separate from cooked and other ready-to-eat foods.Wash hands, surfaces and kitchen utensils.Remember, young cooks need supervision.Avoid double dipping or putting spoons back into food after using them for tasting.Don't let them lick their fingers or put their hands in their mouths, especially when working with raw foods such as cookie dough and raw meat or poultry. Teach children to wait until food is cooked before tasting.
Keep counter tops and working surfaces clean.Pull back long hair, off the shoulders.Wash hands in warm, soapy water before and after handling food.Food Safety Basicsīefore you enter the kitchen, cover the ground rules with children first: Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as building math, science, literacy and fine motor skills.Įncourage your child's interest and excitement in healthy foods by teaching them how to cook safely with this guide of age-appropriate kitchen activities. The best way to teach kids about eating right is to get them into the kitchen to prepare healthy meals together.