EARLY YEARS: Cooking in the kitchen with toddlers, and teaching important life skills

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Parents know cooking with a toddler is a messy business. And it’s often a challenge trying to introduce new foods to little ones.

According to nutrition expert and mom of three Kiyah Duffey, giving your kids experience in the kitchen is one of the best ways you can get them comfortable in there, which matters as they get older.

“This has also been shown to increase the likelihood that they try new foods and it’s been shown to decrease picky eating. We’re also helping them develop fine motor skills, independence, and a positive relationship with food,” says Duffey.

She says there are several important kitchen secrets to teach small kids.

Among those are:

Washing hands

Safely cutting foods

Measuring and counting ingredients

Cleaning up

Tasting and talking about food

Duffey is also the founder of Kizingo Kids. Learn more about its products that can help with mealtimes here.