Before we start praising the children of other people, we need to look closer at how they were raised by their parents. As the saying goes, “From the pine tree, learn of the pine tree. From the bamboo, learn of the bamboo.” Children who learn from their parents while they grow up are important. This is how people will determine the personality and behavior instilled in you by your parents.
A mother shared tips on Facebook on how she has trained her little boy to become a good cook at an early age and how he helps her in the kitchen while preparing meals. Netizen Nurul Nazireen Khazali taught her little boy how to handle utensils in the kitchen and nurtured his interest in cooking.
When her baby showed interest in cooking when he was still a baby, Nurul educated her son, Syazwi, whom she called her little chef with a loving nickname Chef Wi, and nurtured his interest in cooking as early as 2 years and 6 months.
When Nurul uploaded photos of her little chef on her Facebook page, they showed the little boy helping his mother prepare the ingredients, such as cutting vegetables and grinding ingredients. The little chef is no longer being supervised while using blenders, mixers, small knives, and other kitchen utensils.
Additionally, Nurul shared her tips on Facebook on how she carefully guides Syazwi while they prepare meals together in the kitchen, which is as follows:
- Make sure that the children are aware of any dangers during preparation and cooking.
While cooking, we are exposed to the dangers of boiling cooking oil, and splashes of boiling oil or hot water, among others. Do not forget to guide your children and always keep an eye while they handle hot ingredients.
- Provide suitable safety seats and equipment according to your child’s age.
Nurul purchased little Chef Wi’s cooking chair on Instagram: @dinamitoys
- When teaching children how to handle sharp kitchen utensils such as knives, parents must learn to trust their children’s ability when providing the appropriate tools.
When children are still learning their way around the kitchen and familiarizing themselves with the utensils, you may want to start with them using a plastic knife. Watch your child’s progress on how they are handling sharp utensils, then gradually change their tools to the more ‘advanced’ types. Guide them while they handle new utensils. The photo above shows Chef Wi using a knife his mom bought from IKEA.
- Ask your children about their interests. Do not force them to learn cooking if they are not interested.
Nurul said that Syazwi has been interested in cooking since he was still a baby learning how to walk. He would be watching his mother cook. The little chef felt excited when his mother finally trained him how to be a good cook and to help her in preparing meals. At age 2, he was enthusiastic to help.
- Cooking is not only for girls.
Children can benefit from cooking activities while learning new skills and honing their talents in the kitchen. They live to be more independent when they grow up.
Additionally, children learn to recognize the necessary tools used in cooking and ingredients used in preparing food, such as vegetables, fruits, and other raw materials.
Cooking is a skill that can help children be more independent in the future and learn their way around the kitchen. When they reach adulthood, everything will be familiar to them, and they will no longer move awkwardly around the kitchen.
Children are inquisitive and love to explore new things while they grow up. They love to try new skills over the years, and cooking is one of the most exciting activities you can introduce them to and encourage them to try.
Parents should be supportive of their children’s interests and trust in their ability to hone every skill or talent that may be beneficial to themselves and everyone else when they grow up.
Images credits: © Nurul Nazireen Khazali/Facebook
