Yogurt dessert is an opportunity to teach children how to cook

Summer is a great season for teaching kids in the kitchen. Most kids like to have options, so let them help prepare and clean up meals. Picky eaters will appreciate doing some menu planning.

Use the time to teach kids about nutrition, easy math, and food science. Explain the importance of washing hands, using separate cutting boards for meat and produce, and separating electrical appliances.

You are the one who knows your child best, so offer options based on his abilities.

• Ages 1 to 2: Play with wooden spoons, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons.
• Ages 2 and 3 years: Wash fruits, chop and tear vegetables for salad, rub potatoes, mash vegetables, grease baking dishes, pour ingredients into a bowl and sprinkle with seasonings.
• Ages 4-5: Crack eggs, use whisk, measure dry ingredients, use a plastic knife to chop soft foods, juice acidic foods, set timer, peel hard-boiled eggs well, and set the counter.
• Ages 6-7: Measure ingredients, use a vegetable peeler, use a paring knife, snap green beans, corn, drain and slice tofu, shape patties, grease baking pans and load the dishwasher.
• Ages 8-9: Use a can opener, beat eggs, grate cheese, roll batter into muffin cups, scrape mixing bowls, slice bread, put food on skewers, use hand mixer, use a meat thermometer, and discard leftovers.
• Ages 10-12: All of the above, plus boil water to make pasta and follow the recipe.