Of all of the toys on the market, one of the most versatile is the play kitchen. Now, many of us might think that a toy kitchen is a slightly sexist present that most kids would mock. Nonetheless a child-sized play kitchen is a great toy for both young boys and girls. The object of such kitchens isn't to instill sexist stereotypes about women's roles. Instead, these kitchens give kids possibilities for creativeness and imagination; they can also give elders an opportunity to instill in their child some guidelines for eating healthily.
Most of these types of toys feature a variety of appliances from a mini-refrigerator to a stove and cook top. While some kitchens are the classic girl-toy pink, many are gender-neutral in either bright primary colors or natural woods. Unless your kitchen is especially for a little girl who likes pink, it's best to choose the bright or wood kitchen.
Most kids can spend a lot of time playing in their kitchens with or without the concomitant utensils, cookware, and play food. Possibly you've got some old saucepans and plastic dishware your child could use. Even if you can only scrounge up some paper plates and plastic silverware, your kid will be in a position to imagine that those things are the definition of fine dining or the perfect items for a picnic.
While your child is playing in the kitchen, it's a great time to chat casually about good eating habits. Ask your kid about the food on the plate and why she select that banana or that piece of pizza. Kids can be shy about discussions of real food, particularly if mealtimes have been a reliable source of contention, but talking about pretend food takes all the nervousness out of the issue. If your youngster has not been a fan of vegetables and fruits, why don't you get in the pretend kitchen and help your youngster make some yummy glazed carrots? Once the child has imagined them on the plate, she may very well like to try some next meal time.
A child-sized kitchen is a great toy for both girls and boys. Such kitchens let kids play imaginatively and give elders a chance to talk about food in a non-threatening way.
Most of these types of toys feature a variety of appliances from a mini-refrigerator to a stove and cook top. While some kitchens are the classic girl-toy pink, many are gender-neutral in either bright primary colors or natural woods. Unless your kitchen is especially for a little girl who likes pink, it's best to choose the bright or wood kitchen.
Most kids can spend a lot of time playing in their kitchens with or without the concomitant utensils, cookware, and play food. Possibly you've got some old saucepans and plastic dishware your child could use. Even if you can only scrounge up some paper plates and plastic silverware, your kid will be in a position to imagine that those things are the definition of fine dining or the perfect items for a picnic.
While your child is playing in the kitchen, it's a great time to chat casually about good eating habits. Ask your kid about the food on the plate and why she select that banana or that piece of pizza. Kids can be shy about discussions of real food, particularly if mealtimes have been a reliable source of contention, but talking about pretend food takes all the nervousness out of the issue. If your youngster has not been a fan of vegetables and fruits, why don't you get in the pretend kitchen and help your youngster make some yummy glazed carrots? Once the child has imagined them on the plate, she may very well like to try some next meal time.
A child-sized kitchen is a great toy for both girls and boys. Such kitchens let kids play imaginatively and give elders a chance to talk about food in a non-threatening way.
About the Author:
Hannah Smith is the owner of a day care and the mother of four grown kids. She got several play kitchens for children in her daycare. Hannah says one of the best things about her children is that none of them is a picky eater and they all have healthy eating habits thanks to wooden kids kitchen.
