Miller County - Family and Consumer Science
Healthy Snacks Make Healthy Kids
Helping Children Prepare Healthy Snacks
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Don’t forget that children love to help cook. They learn by touching,
tasting, feeling, smelling, and listening. They love to help prepare food and
cook because they can use all their senses. Children like to eat the foods they
make. Plan ways the children in your care can help you. Be sure to consider the
age of the child.
Two-year-olds are learning to use the large muscles in
their arms. They will enjoy activities such as· scrubbing vegetables and fruits
- wiping tables
- dipping vegetables and fruits
- tearing lettuce and salad greens
- breaking bread for stuffing
- snapping fresh beans
Three-year-olds are learning to use their hands. Try
activities such as:
- pouring liquids into a batter
- mixing muffin batter
- shaking a milk drink
- spreading peanut butter on firm bread (This may be messy!)
- kneading bread dough
Four-and five-year-olds are learning to control smaller muscles in
their fingers. Offer them experiences such as:
- rolling bananas in cereal for a snack
- juicing oranges, lemons, and limes
- mashing soft fruits and vegetables
- measuring dry and liquid ingredients
- grinding cooked meat for a meat spread
- beating eggs with an eggbeater
Important Points to Remember
1. Good cooks of all ages always wash their hands before cooking.
2. Tell children to wait until the dish is done before sampling it. This
will help prevent illness.
3. Expect spills and messes.
4. Children have short attention spans. Give them quick, simple jobs, and
give instructions one at a time.
5. Children get excited and forget. Repeat directions as often as needed.
6. Young cooks need constant supervision.
7. Give children jobs to help with cleanup.
8. Good cooks of all ages always wash their hands before cooking.
9. Tell children to wait until the dish is done before sampling it. This
will help prevent illness.
10. Expect spills and messes.
11. Children have short attention spans. Give them quick, simple jobs,
and give instructions one at a time.
12. Children get excited and forget. Repeat directions as often as
needed.
13. Young cooks need constant supervision.
14. Give children jobs to help with cleanup.
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