We live in a world where we have to battle against the constant stimuli provided by slick advertising, that has been cleverly designed to ‘win over’ little taste buds.
It can seem impossible to overcome, but if we can be positive role models within our homes, then we are influencing our children to make good food choices that will support their health and wellbeing.
By implementing strategies now to empower our kids, they’ll grow up to be confident, healthy cooks. Here are five of my tips to empowering your children in the kitchen.
1. Social role modelling.
The brain imaging theory that suggests that when an action of a person is observed, the same mirror neuron in the brain fires in the observer as if they were actually completing the action.
By watching their parents eat healthily, neurons fire up and children make connections as though they were doing it themselves. If we are not eating breakfast or going for a walk, then how can we expect our children to develop these healthy habits?
Role modelling happens all the time, whether we are conscious of it or not, so it’s important that we’re setting great examples for them.
2. Get them in the kitchen.
From the time your child can sit in a highchair, they should be introduced to the kitchen and how food is prepared. Start by giving your child pots and pans to play with, allowing them to be part of the cooking process where they can observe everything that’s going on.
From the age of five, you can have them actively participating – like a ‘sous chef.’ Asking them for advice will empower them and make them feel in control.
By the time they are seven, I urge parents to relinquish control at least one night a week. Let them become the chef and you the sous chef. It provides them with confidence and lifelong skills, which they will thank you for later.
3. Embrace the mess.
Although we are all concerned with manners and mess, we have to remember that kids learn through play. When you allow your child to play with their food, you are encouraging valuable learning and sensory processes to develop.
If you are too concerned about manners, then negative feeding practices may develop. You need to trust that once a skill is learnt, manners will develop through social role modelling.
4. Engage your children.
When it comes to grocery shopping, involve your child in the process. An example might be asking your child to choose between two dinner options.
This ensures you are including your child and encouraging them to make a choice. The catch is, you have to provide boundaries (otherwise, you might get frequent suggestions of chicken nuggets).
5. Provide positive feedbacks.
There is one thing that parents should avoid, and that is to bribe or reward your children with sweets. This way of getting children to eat food is not beneficial in the long term.
Praise is the most advantageous way children learn to eat. Always acknowledge, smile and imitate any good behavior they are exhibiting around food.
From the dinner table to cooking in the kitchen, these are golden opportunities for teaching and learning. The empowerment starts right from the time your child is able to interact with the world around them.
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