[Right_Writer]

I have been cooking and baking with my twins now for a little over a year. The boys are 2 and a half years old and Aaron has taken to cooking like a little chef. Connor likes it, too, but isn't into it as much. I try to spend one morning a week baking something with the boys. Aaron especially loves mixing the ingredients and keeping an eye on whatever is in the oven.

Now, I've started baking with my three nieces, ages 9, 7, and 3. They live out of state, but whenever they are up visiting, they want to come and bake with me. I enjoy teaching them how to measure and mix. In fact, my oldest niece wants me to come to her next birthday party and do a cooking demonstration for her friends!

I find cooking with the kids to be fun and exciting and who cares how a cake looks?? It doesn't need to be perfect. Children should learn how to cook at an early age so that they can sample new foods and learn to appreciate the kitchen.

[tnmommie]

I agree with you on this. My son who is 12 now loves to bake cookies with me and I love to watch him doing the mixing. He would die if he knew I told that on him! My daughter who is 9 doesnt really want to do anything like my son who is 8. But I have done told my boys they will know how to cook before they leave home so they can take care of themselves.

[irishgal63]

is a wonderful idea !
If I'd had more kids---I would have done that---good for
their self-esteem !

[sfharper]

My nieces and nephews often liked to bake something when they stayed overnight. At Christmas, my sister and I let them help us make cookies. My sister was leery of her boy using a butcher knife on frozen cookies, but I wasn't worried. He was 6 and the knife wasn't very sharp and I was supervising. There's more danger in not knowing than giving them a little rope. Was I wrong?

[seeemilywrite]

There is something special about baking cookies. that was my favorite part of sleepovers at my grandmothers house. Another great mixing opportunity is in the morning with pancakes.

[shazbo]

my daughter is 7 and we have just started cooking together it stenghtens the bond between you . and the look on their face at the end result even if it isnt perfect its perfect to them

[scrapbookguru]

My kids love to cook - age 8 and 11. I started both of them when they were around 4 and both know how to cook a lot of different things. My son's favorite thing to make is soup and my daughter enjoys baking over cooking.

It's something fun you can do and the earlier you teach them, the better they get!