Many children like to help their mother or father in the kitchen, and working in the kitchen with childs is also a good opportunity to train them regarding how to keep themselves in the kitchen. It is also a time to have fun with your childrens. In this article we have provided six ways to get your child with special needs engaged in the kitchen.
1- Use Visuals
While doing a cooking activity, visuals are a very important part not only for children with special needs but also for those childrens who are typical. As we mature, we can utilize recipes and pictures to guide them in the kitchen.
Using visual images during the cooking activity either online images, picture software programs (such as Board Maker by Meyer Johnson which I use to create boards, visual and communication systems) or taking photos yourself can be created.
For example, you can take a picture of all ingredients while cooking and print them so your children can use those visuals during the cooking time.
2- Make it Multi-Sensory
Make your activity multifaceted by encouraging your child to touch, smell, taste (when appropriate) and see all the basics. For a child who is a thrill seeker, cook something that requires rolling, pulling and pushing such as making a pizza, allowing your child to roll out the dough, punch the dough and crush the dough, etc.
You can also mention phrases on it such as the method you are mixing but always match your words with pictures. When you are using spices, ask your child to smell the spices. Ask your child to close his eyes and describe the smell. If your child is sensitively defensive, let him guide you on what to do next. Put you “in charge” to tell them what to do which empowers any child.
If your child is sensitively defensive, let him guide you on what to do next. “Supervise” to tell you what to do that empowers any child.
3- Make it Motivating
If your children like to eat macaroni then make macaroni with cheese. If your child loves grilled cheese then make it together. This is the best way to get your child motivated and engage them in the kitchen by making those dishes that they are like and friendly with. You can make a small difference to the food with your child such as adding a variety of spice or changing or exchanging an ingredient. When your child makes something with them they will be more prone to eat it.
4- Make it Simple
Making simple recipes works well, especially if it’s something new to you and your child. If you’re making something that’s difficult to make, it can create a situation that makes your kids lose interest and feel like a failure.
Start by helping your child make a pizza from premade dough, sauce and cheese. Let them choose the toppings and help them shape the pizza. Even with the simplest of recipes, you can create opportunities for choice and creativity.
5- Be Creative and Make Mistakes
You should also have fun while cooking. When my son was young we made many recipes together and almost all recipes are not perfect but we both learn from our mistakes.
It was a great time which we spent together and saw my child’s mistakes. Unless your child has learned something from the cooking experience, it’s okay. Cooking gives you a good opportunity to build a good bonding with your child.
6- Switch Off Electrical Items Not Being Used
Children with aspie and other disorders tend to use electrical appliances such as microwaves, kettles and toasters, which can be extremely dangerous. To prevent these things it will be good to switch off at the plug socket when you are not using it.