Food Shopping and Cooking with Kids

When a child accompanies her parent to shop for food, she can learn so much. This can be an opportunity to share the customs of your family and of your culture. "We don't eat pork or bacon." "We need some rice to go with the beans." "We don't eat meat in our family." You can even help your child learn colors (of fruits and vegetables) and numbers ("How many cookies should we get?"). You can help her get ready to read during your visit to the grocery store. When you stop and read the labels to make your choices, your child learns about the power of the written word. She also learns that you pay close attention to the food you put in your body, and hers.

This can also be an opportunity to balance the effects of junk food advertising. Not by talking about junk food, but by making other foods more interesting. "We can make you a delicious sandwich with this nice fresh (whole wheat) bread." Or, "If we get peas in their pods and shell them together, they'll taste fresher than canned or frozen peas." Then let her compare tastes.

When she goes to the market with you, ask her to help look for the foods. "Can you help me find the tomatoes we like?" This can be an opportunity to explain which foods are best for her body, and why. What do they do? But keep it fun and respect her tolerance. Otherwise, food may become too serious, a burden instead of a pleasure. Be prepared for her to be ready to leave before you are. Bring a small toy or a book to distract her while you finish your shopping.

Do not use the candy at the checkout counter as a bribe. It sets a precedent. To the child, you may seem to be saying, "Whenever you want candy, just whine or throw a temper tantrum. It worked this time." Instead, you'd like her to know that "food shopping is a job we have to do. I need you to help me—so I can get your advice from time to time." Let her carry a small change purse and pick out a piece of fruit or crackers to pay for at the counter. This way she can learn about money, and will start to count change by the time she's 4 or 5.

Afterward, try to interest her in preparing food together. You can show an older child how to turn a pancake in the pan. (Be sure she knows never to cook unless you are right by her side.) Let her measure ingredients for a favorite recipe, or tear up lettuce, or slice a banana (with a dull knife that won't cut her). Start early with safe and simple ways to participate—at least by the time she is 2. Let her help you set the table. When dishes and utensils need to be cleared, she can be given this job. (Use plastic plates and cups.) The child then becomes part of a busy family's "work" and can learn to feel proud of her new ability to join in and help.

Food can help hold a family together. Children's participation from the first few years can give them a feeling of how rewarding teamwork in a family can be.

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