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“Can I help mom?” was the question I heard from Squeaks a few weeks ago as I was preparing to make dinner. I took a deep breath and hesitated. Cooking dinner has become a little me-time at the end of the day. The kids get a bit of screen time while mama cooks in peace. So ya, I hesitated.

Then I said “okay”. I will admit it was a reluctant okay, which I regret. I have always fancied myself a learn-through-doing kind of mama. Teach a man to fish…ya know? But I said yes and I couldn’t be happier I did. I wish you could have seen her face. Next thing I know there’s this beautiful happy little girl standing on a chair next to my stove asking endless questions about boiling water, steam, ground beef, and cooking in general.

As we sat down to dinner Squeaks beamed with pride and chirped “I’m a good helper!”. It was so sweet! Then after dinner she was apparently still in helper mode and picked up all her toys without even being asked!! How many more exclamation marks can I use to express my full excitement over this whole exchange?!!!!

This all got me thinking of the benefits of having kiddos help in the kitchen and here’s what I’ve discovered.

1. Following instructions.

Squeaks had to listen as I gave her instructions on how to break the spaghetti noodles to fit in the pot, how to stir the boiling water without splashing, and how to season the ground beef. The first time she tried to break the noodles little shards of dried pasta flew everywhere. She had to take correction well without becoming discouraged. After a few more tries she had it down and now she can do big hand fulls all at once. I’m excited for the day when I can set her up with a recipe and she can follow the instructions all on her own. It’s an awesome skill to have!

2. Building vocabulary.

Al dente, saute, browning, boiling, steam, chop, ingredients, whisk. Then there are the names of spices and kitchen tools. The list goes on! So many new words for a four year old and two year old to take in. And now I hear them using their new words in their play kitchen too! Their building a strong and rich vocabulary and it’s so fun to watch. When I hear Squeaks excitedly explaining to Little Dude that they need to “whisk the wet and dry ingredients together” it makes my mama heart so proud.

3. Math and science the fun way.

Measuring a cup of flour and half a cup of yogurt for muffins, then comparing the difference in the measurements. Counting out ingredients. Discussing temperature; the oven versus a hot summer day. Discovering how boiling water makes steam, then discussing what happens to the steam as it goes up into the air. Comparing wet ingredients and dry ingredients and then watching what happens when you mix them together. Cooking is applying math and science in every day life. For kids it’s like having a science lab in your house!

4. Sensory processing.

They want to touch the flour? Go for it! Taste the coconut sugar? Why not?! Smell the banana bread batter as it’s mixed together? Sure! See muffins rise in the oven as they bake? Absolutely. Put those senses to work! The smell of cinnamon, the taste of salt, the sound of our KitchenAid mixer. It’s so fun to watch our little sensory seeker actually engaged in all these new experiences.

5. Motivation for success!

I shared my recent enjoyment of having the kids in the kitchen with me on my Facebook page. I remarked on how helping me had inspired Squeaks to continue helping around the house. A wise friend summarized it like this: Inclusion=success=drive. It’s so true! The more I include my kids in a job I’m doing while encouraging and helping them to succeed at it, the more they are driven to learn! When I see my kids excited to learn it makes me want to include them more, and the process starts all over. I know what they’re capable of, and when they see themselves succeed, they learn what they’re capable of too!

So now, whether it’s helping me make spaghetti, or banana muffins, or those awesome cupcakes for Squeaks birthday, I’m all for handing over a few jobs to the kiddos!

What are your favorite recipes to cook with your little ones?