The Rules For Cooking With A Toddler

Note: Do not clear everything away and forget the flour. Little one will take advantage as the picture shows.

Here are the guidelines I go by when attempting to get my little one interested in cooking:

1. Get some flour and throw it all over your clean carpet. Tread it in and spread it about. That's what Hayden does. I have an old couple of yards of fabric and I spread it over the floor and we do all the cooking on that. But seriously, don't bother if mess worries you because he/she will be gifted at getting it all over themselves, you and everything else regardless of all aprons and coverings. It's worth it when I look at his happy icing covered face!

2. They eat raw stuff. Often more than the cooked result. You can try and stop them, but you wont. Especially a dedicated eater like mine. I therefore try and cook a variety of things, but making sure that its safe to eat. Obviously raw chicken is out! Hayden will wolf down a slab of margarine and raw flour accompanied with a glue stick, but will refuse many a nutritious meal placed in front of him in the shape of a smiley face.

3. I try and make a variety of things, not just cakes and use the experience to teach him about different tastes, textures and vegetables.

4. Don't be surprised if the end result comes out a bit strange. Little one will eat half the ingredients before you can put them in and spread the rest over a carpet. If you are planning an important dinner party then this is not the way forward.

5. If possible, include little one in cleaning up afterwards. Give him/her a bowl to wash up some plastic bowls and wooden spoons or stand him/her on a chair with you at the sink.