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Now our toddler is old enough to work on her practical life skills in the kitchen on regular basis. We set aside time every day to incorporate Montessori principles to create healthy snacks and build healthy habits from the start.
Why do we need practical life exercises at home?
Practical life activities in the kitchen are very important because they:
- help to gain control over their little hands and movement
- support their desire to be independent and do things on their own
- help to develop deep concentration
- children learn orderly thinking
- children are encouraged to take care of themselves and eat healthily,
- children get excited to prepare their own nutritious snacks and tend to be less picky with their food
Every day I aim to allow my daughter to prepare her own snacks for morning tea and afternoon tea.
Snacks that we make:
- apples, bananas, nectarines, or pears for slicing
- mandarins or lemons for juicing (oranges are a bit too large – I use smaller fruit to set her up for success)
- grapes, watermelon, or berries for making fruit kebabs
- nuts for cracking
- dips, butter, or gem for spreading on crackers or toasts
- egg or mushroom for slicing
- frozen berries to enjoy on their own or to make flavored frozen cubes
I usually do not offer more than three or four choices otherwise she wants to eat everything in one go because she is so excited to use all the tools.
Another significant aspect of allowing my girl to make her own snacks is to teach her to tidy up after herself and also teach her that spills and making mistakes are a part of life. I make sure she knows that it’s okay to make mistakes and don’t make her feel bad for spilling or creating a mess as soon as she cleans it after herself.
When Miss decides to have a snack she tells me what she would like to eat and I help her to find the right tools and arrange them on the tray for her to take to the table. I try to give as little assistance as possible and step away as soon as I know she can handle the rest on her own.
Tools that we use. These are found in dollar stores, opp shops, or a majority of supermarkets
Practical Life - Children's Learning Resources
Detachable Kids Cleaning Toy Set
It contains 7 different pieces including a wooden broom, mop, duster, dustpan, brush, rag and organizing stand. It Comes With Everything Your Children Needed For Pretend Play. Allows Your Children To Learn How To Do, Also Part Of Stem Housework And Can Also Use Our Toys To Do Some Real Housework Activities.
Rubbermaid FG2963TPBISQU Neat 'N Tidy Bucket, 11-Quart, Bisque
This bucket's heavy wire bails offer extra durability for heavy use.
Crumb Cleaning Set with Magnet Brush
Stainless Steel and Wood
Magnet on Back of Brush for Attaching to Tray
Bamboo Dish Scrub Brushes by Subekyu, Kitchen Wooden Cleaning Scrubbers Set for Washing Cast Iron Pan/Pot, Natural Sisal Bristles, Set of 3
High-density firm bristles make it easy to brush off stains on a variety of surfaces without wearing and scratching.
3-Ounce Stainless Steel Bell Creamer
6 Pieces Wooden Kids Kitchen Knife Include Wood Kids Knife Plastic Potato Slicers Cooking Knives Serrated Edges Toddler Knife Kids Plastic Knife for Kitchen Children Baking Knife (Lemon Style)
Reliable and long lasting materials: these wooden kids kitchen tools are mainly made of plastic and wood materials, which are reliable, long lasting, not easy to break or deform, can give you a good using experience; This toddler knife is painted with a cute pattern, has wood textures, is close to nature, eye-catching and beautiful, full of rustic feeling, can make your home more attractive
Mini Ceramic Pitcher 4 oz (125ml) _ 3.3" high _ very small
Baby Silicone Cup, Silicone Trainer Cup with Handles, Unbreakable, Non-Slip Handles Sippy Cup for Toddlers, 5 oz (Sage)
Our trainer cup made of soft silicone BPA-, BPS-, PV-, phthalates-, lead- and latex-free, to help protect baby's developing teeth while allowing for a nonslip grip to make movements to the mouth more successful.
Mr. Woodware Sensory Bin Tools Montessori Toys for 1-3 Year Old Toddlers Set of 9 Wooden Spoons, Scoops, Bowls, Tongs, Cubes for Fine Motor Skills Development + Free Cotton Bag Included
Wooden Montessori sensory set of spoons, scoops, bowls, tongs, and cubes is perfect for pouring beans, oats, rice, and sand. These toys can promote kids' fine motor skills in a better, natural way. And give them the freedom to learn new things.
Curious Chef Children's 6-Piece Fruit and Veggie Prep Kit
The Curious Chef 6-Piece Fruit & Veggie Prep Kit includes a vegetable scrubber, melon baller, medium nylon knife, apple slicer, large silicone spoon and vegetable peeler, plus a bonus sticker set and shopping menu.
Amazing Child Mini Ceramic Creamer Pitcher 4 oz (110ml)
Luminarc Quadro 16.75-Ounce Jug/Pitcher with White Lid
Enamelware Collectionâ„¢ Rectangular Serving Tray, 16 x 11.5"
Kiddison Metal Pitcher Color Options Montessori Practical Life Materials (Blue Ash) Pitcher for Toddlers
Amazing Child Mini Glass Pitcher 9 Ounces - 5" High. Child Sized. Very Small Size
MR.SIGA Mini Dustpan and Brush Set, Portable Cleaning Brush and Dustpan Combo with Bamboo Handle, 1 Set
MR.SIGA mini handheld dustpan and brush set has a natural bamboo handle, which is more environmentally friendly and comfortable to hold.
Boardwalk 951TEA Lobby/Toy Broom, Corn Fiber Bristles, 39" Wood Handle, Red/Yellow
OXO Good Grips All Purpose Scrub Brush
Joie Crinkle Cutter / Wavy Knife for Any Vegetable, Great Crinkle Cutter for Veggies, Stainless Steel Blade, Colors Vary
Have fun with this crinkle cutter knife! If you need a slicer for veggies, french fries or fruit, try this wavy cutter for fancy edges and waffle cuts.
OXO Good Grips1.5 Qt Mixing Bowl
R&M International Apple Peeler Machine with Suction Mount, Peels, Cores and Slices
LEETOYI Porcelain Mortar and Pestle, Ceramic Herb Grinder Pill Crusher Set, 3.3-inch White
5.1-Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill
Kids Knife Set For Cooking – 5 Piece Kids Cook Set in Aqua – Kids Cooking Supplies with Kids Chef Knife, Kids Paring Knife, Kids Peeler, Kids Serrated Knife & Universal Holder – TruChef
The blades on these kids knives are rounded at the tip, to prevent the possibility of accidental stabbing. As you supervise their cooking experience, you'll have one less danger to worry about.
9 Pieces Kid Kitchen Knife Set, Kids Safe Knives for Real Cooking, Serrated Edges Plastic Toddler Knife, Crinkle Cutter, Y Peeler, Children Gloves, Sandwich Cutter, Cutting Fruit, Bread, Lettuce
Three serrated edges toddler knives and a cooking plastic knife of different shapes are all designed with serrated teeth, which is not easy injury to the hand, and gloves can protect little hands from injury.
TruChef Kid Safe Tomato Steak Serrated knife - Kid friendly multi-use knife for kids cooking gifts
These kids kitchen knives have blunt tips and serrated edges, which are tough on food but easy on kids hands. The kid knives are stainless steel, lightweight and provide a secure and comfortable grip, helping unleash your junior master chef in the kitchen.
BOSKA Boska Holland Mini Oak Table Grater
Norpro Double Melon Baller w/Wood Handle, 8 In, Brown
Easily scoop decorative balls from melon, butter, pears, apples, potatoes, cheese and ice cream!
Vegetable Crinkle Cutter and French Fry Slicer
Prepworks by Progressive Egg Beater
Norpro Stainless Steel Mini Tongs
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Hand Crank Flour Icing Sugar Sifter, Stainless Steel, 5-Cup
HIC Flying Saucer Mortar and Pestle Grinder, Porcelain, White
Norpro Multi Grater with Juicer, One Size, As Shown
Norpro Strainer, 3.25", White
Mason Cash Colour Mix Powder Pink S18 Chip Resistant Earthenware 26cm Mixing Bowl
HIC Harold Import Co. HIC Ice Tong, Japanese Stainless Steel, 6.25 1-Inch, 6.25 Inch, Silver
2 Pairs of Child Latex Rubber Re-usable Gloves - Great Value and Quality ! for Ages 3-5 Years (Average Sized Child)
I love this post so much 🙂
I'm actually working on a post right now about recipes that my kiddo tends to help with! I really struggle to make myself let him help though as I use cooking as me time and then like to get photos for the blog, etc. But it's been really nice to see him get excited about helping and learn some new skills.
All of the ideas you shared are great, but I think those teddy bear, berry ice cubes are my favourite 🙂 My son thinks frozen berries are ice cream (haha, I won't tell him otherwise) so I'm not sure I'd be able to convince him to give them up to the freezer, but it's worth a try next time I make or buy some frozen berries!
Pinning 🙂
Thank you, Yuliya!! So good to hear you have so much fun with your kid in the kitchen! I LOVE your recipes and ideas!!!