Nurturing Young Cooks

Cooking is such a basic skill; you'd think everyone would have the ability to prepare something, if for no other reason than mere sustenance. Yet, so many people (including my husband) were never given the opportunity to test their kitchen prowess. It appears that some weren't even taught how to find an item in the refrigerator. Clearly, staring vacantly at the stocked refrigerator shelves won't make the mayonnaise or milk pop out at you. Mind melding with the salami doesn't work either. It just shouldn't be so difficult to find one's way around the kitchen.

My first fond kitchen memory had me sitting at the gray and white marble patterned kitchen table on a cushy, red, grommeted chair while playing with raw pie dough. Mom was making some sort of pastry from scratch (something she rarely did later on) and I was given a small metal pastry wheel with which to decoratively cut dough strips and pretend I was a real cook. Once she'd put her own creation into the oven, she helped me roll out my dough. I spread it with butter then sprinkled on lots of sugar and cinnamon. In those days, I really didn't care for sugar and cinnamon pastries. Jam would have been my preference, but I didn't complain. Just having the opportunity to be Mommy's baking helper was enough for me. I gasp to think about how much I played with that dough before finally handing it over to be popped in the oven. I was so proud and delighted at the childishly messy but delicious results.

From then on, I so loved baking that Daddy bought me the tiny mixes and pans that would eventually be used in the "Easy Bake Oven". Mom helped me bake them in her big oven. Making those little cakes was like waking up on Christmas morning for me every time I had the chance to be a baker.

About eight years ago, my grown son bought me a used Easy Bake Oven. I was delighted, but set it aside and never used it. That is, I never used it until my little angel Trillium asked to help me. Her Daddy bought us some tiny mixes, and we tried out the little oven for the first time - together.

Now, when we have some time together she wants to bake. She's a natural and is thrilled to stir the soup, frost some brownies or make her own Easy Bake cakes and cookies.

Baking and cooking with loving adults is a nurturing learning experience for small children. Being given the opportunity to try their little hands at something so grown up and new can foster self esteem that will carry them through and provide the courage to, yet again, attempt new skills and experiences. Cook with your kids; they’ll never forget.