There are lots of preschool curricula available, but I think that one of the best ways for preschoolers to learn is through discovering their natural environment.
Here are some great kitchen activities (which can really be done with many ages, not just preschoolers):
1. Let them eat their shapes — Cut a variety of food into different shapes. Talk about names of shapes. If you have lots of shapes, you can work on sorting them as well.
2. Stacking and Sorting — Little ones can work on skills like stacking and sorting through helping to empty the dishwasher. While you need to be careful of sharp utensils, kids can do a great job working on sorting the utensil drawer. Another great thing to classify (and stack) are plates and bowls. If your house is like mine, you might have more than one size plate and bowl. The visual discrimination is great practice!
3. Cook Together — This can be a short process or a longer process. For the longer process, have your child help pick out a simple recipe. Then, make a grocery list with them and take a field trip to the grocery store. Finish up the project, of course, by having them help to prepare the recipe. Allow them to help as much as they are able.
What are other some other ways that you try to include your preschoolers in kitchen learning activities?
When Angie isn’t trying to be patient with many helping hands in the kitchen, she can be found writing at Many Little Blessings.
photo by Valerie Everett
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I keep our plastic bowls, cups, and plates in the bottom two drawers of our island. This way the preschooler can unload a good portion of the dishwasher. They can easily reach where most things go. I assign one child to remove the "sharp items" and other items that are stored out of the preschooler's reach before the preschooler unloads and sorts the silverware.
I get out the cupcake holders and let my little one sort things like cotton balls, pennies, beads (under the supervision of an older child). Also I have double bagged ziplocks of rice and beans to play with in the bottom drawer. I saw a cute way to make play food in flour sacks that I may try if I get my sewing machine out…