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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

can a 2 and a half year old really cook?

20 replies

HeadFairy · 14/04/2010 20:31

ds's diet is becoming more and more restricted as he gets fussier and fussier. Everyone always says that one way of getting them to try new things is to get your dcs cooking. Well ds is only 2.6, so do you think he can really manage it? There are some nice recipes on the I can cook website, but has anyone tried them with a toddler?

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NorbertDentressangle · 14/04/2010 20:35

At 2.5 I don't think DS is going to be rustling up a cheese souffle followed by beef wellington but I'm sure he could chuck some toppings on a pizza, sprinkle cheese in a roll, stir some sauce into pasta etc.

Just make sure its not something you have to eat too unless you like added snot and goodness knows what in your dinner

angel1976 · 14/04/2010 20:37

Have you seen this website? It's called My Daddy Cooks and it's great! I think the little boy Alfie is only 2. They don't cook as such, it's more about making a mess but it does get them tasting stuff. My 2.2-years-old DS1 loves 'baking'. He gets to stir up the baking mixture and pour water/flour in, that sort of thing. And he loves eating raw batter... Not that interested in the finished product! You can also give them carrot ends, vegetable bits you no longer need to chop and they do them put things in their mouths. I suppose the point of it all is to get them trying new flavours etc. Be prepared to get VERY messy though! P.S. DS1 is a very good eater and loves everything but vegetables at the moment...

bexxaa · 14/04/2010 20:38

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bexxaa · 14/04/2010 20:41

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DidEinsteinsMum · 14/04/2010 20:42

By this age ds was using a potatoe peeler. Much to the horror of the mil. But it meant that i could cook tea without worrying what he was up to. He also used to cut up mushrooms with a blunt knife (eg butter or dinner knife, not stake etc).

However, i found the best way to get ds to eat things was to get him to grow them. He can be really fussy about veg but will live off runner beans if you let him. He has been growing those since he was 2.

Ds is now five and makes fabulous coffee (kettle is left with a small amount of water - enough for 2 cups of drink, anything heavier and he askes for help) Makes sandwiches, sorts his own breakfast out. But is normal in that the kitchen looks a mess.

He does a lot of baking with his great gran. Everytime he goes to visit. it helps with maths skills too.

NorbertDentressangle · 14/04/2010 20:45

Just remembered that another of DS's favourites at that age was washing the veg in the sink, he would happily do that whilst I chopped them

JeMeSouviens · 14/04/2010 20:45

I've had DS, who is almost 3 now, cooking up wontons, from putting the filling into the wrapper, which I'd then seal, to dropping them into the broth.

He likes to help me make jelly, stirring it, and pouring into the mould, he'll eagerly crack eggs and stir them in the pan (but not then eat them ).

Give your DS little jobs to do, even if it wasn't to encourage his eating habits, I think ALL children (DD or DS) should be taught to cook from a young age.

Original poster

HeadFairy · 14/04/2010 20:57

that my daddy cooks website looks great, but I will eat my hat if ds eats sea bream en papillote I might try a few things though, maybe adapt a couple of recipes. I thought I might make the tomato pastry swirls, they don't look too challenging. I don't mind the mess, but I just want him to try something. All he eats now is pasta, and even though I tolerated that for a while because I could vary the sauces a lot and sneak in some veggies and meat, now he won't have pasta with any "bits" in.

He won't eat meat, or rice or potatoes. I just want him to get a bit more involved rather than me just plonking it in front of him. He does often ask to see his dinner cooking, so perhaps I can get him a bit more involved.

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hellymelly · 14/04/2010 21:01

don't know where you live but I was in Camden when DD1 was that age and they had a fabulous course (free!) for toddlers,cooking with a really lovely teacher.There were only two other children and we made all sorts of pretty and healthy dishes with them.I think getting them to help with grating,mashing,stirring etc does help with fussiness.I am about to try it again with my second dd ( no longer in Camden so just at home)as she is really fussy now at 2y 11m.She used to eat all sorts of things now she won't eat any veg except tomatoes.Grrr.

angel1976 · 14/04/2010 21:04

Learning to cook (for whatever reason) can't be a bad thing, can it?

MrsBadger · 14/04/2010 21:05

dd (2.7) makes excellent porridge, can butter own bread, chop banana/ cheese etc with table knife. Also good at mashing bananas for muffins, rolling out, mixing and pouring, can stand on chair and stir risotto etc

but agree the things she likes eating most are things she's grown - potatoes and tomatoes always winners

Original poster

HeadFairy · 14/04/2010 21:08

You're so right angel... dh can't boil water so if I can get ds to be able to cook just a little bit it'll be great (plus his future wife/boyfriend/partner/girlfriend/whatever will really thank me!)

I'm in Surrey Helly so I'll just have to do it myself... I might try looking for some cooking courses for toddlers locally.

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angel1976 · 14/04/2010 21:16

Try the local Sure Start Children's Centre. There's one near me that does cooking for the under-5s on Wednesdays...

hellymelly · 14/04/2010 21:38

yes mine in Camden was through the sure start scheme but I thought only more deprived areas had this,is it a nationwide thing? Certainly as great.We made pumpkin soup (in a pumpkin) baked potato "mice" (stuffed spuds).little stacked salads in pots that turned out as stripey towers,and some other things I can't quite remember.the children really loved it and DD tried everything she made.she is still good at trying stuff,much better than her little sister.

Original poster

HeadFairy · 14/04/2010 22:20

oh thanks helly and angel, I'll check our local surestart centre... they do loads of activities but I hadn't seen any cooking classes, but maybe I just wasn't looking in the right place.

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MerlinsBeard · 14/04/2010 22:25

I sit DS3 on the worktop and we make his lunch together. He will also "make cakes" with me. IE he will stir melted chocolate and rice krispies or have a roll of some shortbread or press the cutter in. I tend to have to sit at the table if i am doing "proper cooking" with him. I stress too much about him burning himself

angel1976 · 14/04/2010 22:25

Ask them for it. Or volunteer yourself to run it! The one that is done locally is conducted by a mother volunteer. I can see the benefits of doing things in group (children are more likely to cooperate in a group situation and have more fun) and also the mess won't be at your house! LOL!

MerlinsBeard · 14/04/2010 22:26

A word of advice though - don't make any of that shit from Big Cook Little Cook

Original poster

HeadFairy · 14/04/2010 22:27

I would love to run a course angel, but what with returning to full time work soon, a three month old and a toddler I'm not sure I'd be able to squeeze it in! I will however ask them if they are able to start a course.

OP posts:

angel1976 · 14/04/2010 22:29

That's what they are there for...

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