Everyday tasks like cooking with a toddler can be a great chance to build their vocabulary by introducing them to different words for foods and textures.
Watch the video below for some inspiration on how to include children in meal prep.
Mum:
We're making a stew Aubri. Ooo good girl!
Hard carrot.
Aubri is doing some too ok.
Aubri:
Potato.
Mum:
Potato. Potato in the pot?
Mum:
Have you finished with your mushroom?
Aubri:
No, no. I haven't finished.
Mum:
Ok. Tell me when you're ready.
Mum:
That's it good girl, break it up.
Aubri:
Crunchy!
Mum:
Crunchy.
Mummy cut it.
Shall we get some more mushrooms?
More leek.
Aubri hold it. Aubri hold it? Ok, there you go.
Aubri:
I help me.
Mum:
You're helping me?
Stew's ready! Yum yum yum.
Aubri:
Oh.
Mum:
Oh.
Aubri:
I not finished.
Mum:
You're not finished? No, Aubri? Ok, Aubri cooking then.
Shall I wait for you?
Aubri:
Aubri waiting.
Mum:
Ok then.
Why include toddlers in cooking?
- Cooking is a great chance to introduce toddlers to different words about food. The names of different ingredients, words for different textures and words for tastes.
- It's great sensory play that can fit in as part of your daily routine
How can I include toddlers in cooking?
- If it's safe, try giving them a little of each ingredient you're using like vegetables, so that they can explore the way they feel and taste.
- Name the foods as you hand them to them. See which ones they're most interested in and talk about what they're looking at or feeling.
- If they try and name the food themselves, repeat the name back to them correctly and add words to it to make a phrase. So if they say 'tato', you could say 'potato, that goes in the pot'.
- Use words for textures like 'smooth' or 'bumpy', 'hard' or 'crunchy'.
- Use words and phrases for actions like 'break it up' or 'pour it in'.
- You could offer them a choice of ingredients - 'do you want potatoes or leeks?'.
Mealtimes with toddlers
- Check out speech and language therapist Janet Cooper's ideas to make the most of mealtimes with babies and toddlers.
- We have all sorts of mealtime advice, including baby and toddler recipes and advice for if your toddler is a fussy eater.
Find another activity
In case you missed it
What can my baby eat and when?
An article from children's dietitian explaining what foods children can eat at different stages of weaning from 6 months.
