What's Cooking?

All children have a natural curiosity with food and cooking. Think about it. Food is something that starts out one way and after cooking, looks totally different. That is very scientific and very appealing to a child.

There was a time, prior to state accountability and assessment testing, when kindergarten children had cooking as a part of the weekly curriculum. That is no longer the case. Cooking has been relegated to the Pre-Kindergarten curriculum (if you're lucky) or has been removed from the curriculum completely. Therefore, you must have it as a part of your curriculum at home.

Even if you are a working Mom (and all Moms are working Moms!), you can engage in simple cooking activities with your child. I'm not talking about anything dangerous involving sharp knives (although this must be taught too as your child matures); I am talking about simple activities such as helping you measure, helping you stir, and helping you serve. Yes, this does take extra time and there will be somewhat of a mess. But you can begin with something simple like "Ants on a Log", celery stuffed with peanut butter with raisins on top; or Rice Krispies Treats---food items that require no cooking.

Later, you can advance to a simple cookie recipe that requires baking and you can discuss oven temperature, creaming the butter (creaming? What is that?), and using the mixer. You will build your child's vocabulary with each new activity. You will be teaching measurement and precision. You will be teaching your child hand/eye coordination as you teach stirring and spreading techniques. Even a child as young as two or three can learn to stir and follow directions.

It doesn't have to be complicated. You will be a rock star to your child if you have him or her help you with cooking. Little children are naturally interested in this activity. If you begin when your child is young (as with everything I have discussed in this blog), your child's interest in cooking will only grow and mature as he or she grows and matures. Just think, you may have your own personal chef in the house by the time your child is twelve.

Set Those Boundaries!

Little Thing #2 is "Set Those Boundaries". When my grandson was two years old and became angry with me, he raised his little fist and said, "I hit Grammi!". My automatic reaction was to take hold of his arm, look him straight into the eye, and say, "You will NEVER hit your Grammi. Do you understand?". That was my boundary and he, at two years old, understood perfectly because the next thing he said was, "I sorry Grammi, I sorry".

I consider boundary-setting or setting limits the most loving thing you can do for a child whether you are a parent, a teacher, or both. Children need to know what the rules are and what the consequences are for breaking those rules. Setting limits does not make you a mean parent or a mean teacher. It makes you an individual who cares enough about a child to protect that child with rules. Much of the out of control behavior of children is because those children do not know where or when to stop. No one has said, "Enough!", and meant it.

Now, setting boundaries is not easy. At first, it will seem that you are saying "no" all the time and with very young children, you are. But as the child grows to know your limits, and as you continue to maintain your own boundaries, your child will begin to understand that you mean what you say and that you will not change your mind. You, on the other hand, will find it easier to set limits once it becomes a part of your own routine. The more you do it, the easier it will get.

Some children will accept your boundaries and not challenge you very much. With other children who have stronger personalities, it will take greater resolve and energy on your part to hold the line and not just cave in. Sometimes, it will be exhausting. That is normal. The more you maintain your boundaries and set your limits, the more your child will understand that neither you or your rules will change. The pay-off for you and for your child is this: as your child gets older and life's situations become more risky, you will have established what you will and will not accept. Does this mean your child will not test you again and again? No.... that is what children do.

But children should not be allowed to negotiate the rules. You are the adult, you should set the limits. Rules are for the safety and well-being of your child. Your child needs for you to assume this role. It is your responsibility as a parent.

And remember: children are children and, regardless of their size, they all basically need the same things.

Who Am I, Anyway?

I am a mother, grandmother, former teacher and former principal with over forty years of experience in the fields of parenting and educating children. I am starting this blog because I believe I have a lot to say that may be helpful to parents and teachers but especially to parents, a child's first teacher. I have learned that many ideas having to do with the education of children are very simple ideas that are executed with great expertise. The secret to a well-executed simple idea is to first establish a routine and procedure that accompanies that simple idea. The most effective methods in teaching children, whether in the home or in the school, are those methods that involve routines, procedures, consistency and predictability.

Do not believe that children will get bored with a predictable routine. They will not. The reason they will not get bored is because predictable routines make children feel secure in their environment. They know what to expect day after day and are reassured by that structure. It is very unsettling to children (and also to adults) when the "rules of the game" change arbitrarily and cannot be predicted. For this reason, it is critical to have set routines and procedures for everything. Children thrive in an environment of predictability. They trust that things will be the same, no matter what. It is our job as the responsible adult to be sure we create the environment our children need.

Some children are more affected by change than others. However, all children need advanced warning when an established routine is changing. I know that circumstances change and some days are crazier than others. Take the time, though, to let your child know if a procedure is changing, even if just for one day. Don't assume they won't care--they will.

I hope that this blog will be a resource for parents, teachers, friends of teachers--anyone who works with children, has children, or knows children. Sometimes, it's the simple advice that can change the course of your day.