Helping with meals makes a child feel important. You get time together too. Children learn even when tasks are not perfectly done. So even if you work faster alone ask children to help you. Make it a learning experience.Children can:- Pick flowers for the table.
- Create paper place mats.
- Clear and wash the table to prepare for the meal.
- Wash his or her hands. Help with table setting.
- Help with simple kitchen tasks, perhaps tearing salad greens, putting bread in a basket, stirring.
- Pour milk perhaps with your help. Put just enough milk for a child’s serving in a plastic measuring cup and help him or her learn to pour.
- Turn off the TV. Turn on fun music in the background.
- Clear and clean the table.
- Ask, "What can you do to help me?" and jot their ideas down.
- Serve the meal as much as possible family style. Pass around bowls of food and let children help themselves to a serving.
Impossible to fit into your hectic schedule? Try to enjoy at least 1-2 family meals a week together. See what works and plan from there. |