Should Kids Play with their Food? Of Course!
Junky, processed food and afternoons spent in front of tech are taking a toll on our kids' health, with everyone from Michelle Obama to the United Nations looking for solutions. But what if the path to healthy eating is simpler than we think?
The key ingredient is play -- something at which our kids are already experts. When kids are involved in the process of growing, harvesting, and cooking without the pressures of "are you going to eat your spinach?" they experience those foods in a different--and better--way. With these simple tips, it's easy to get your kids to start playing with their food -- and that's a good thing.
Start Young
My husband Michael and I created a food lover in our home by appealing to our son's sense of fun and tactile curiosity. Giving kids space to "help" when you are cooking connects them directly to the foods that you will put on the table later. For instance, the littlest ones can wash greens, pick or tear herbs, peel boiled (cooled) potatoes with their hands, shuck peas, or mix dry goods in baking.
Another enjoyable and easy activity? Make homemade dough and give your kids some to shape into any form they like, whether it's a pretzel or dinosaur. Creating time for experimentation outside of the stresses of rushing dinner to the table will help spark creativity in budding home chefs.
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To finish reading the full story, visit the Huffington Post: Green website: http://huff.to/1dtX362.
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