The Muffin Man

I can't say that every day in our house begins with muffin-making, but I can honestly say that the best ones do. There's nothing like a little cooperative baking to feed all of your senses in the morning. I know when my son has had a hand in making his food (touching all the ingredients, smelling the smells, seeing the transformation) he seems more eager to eat and more satisfied by the meal.

And, of course, from my perspective, kitchen activities are another great way to develop hand skills. Even on the mornings when a full-scale cooking project isn't an option, I try to incorporate some "hands-on" into our breakfast. Squeezing an orange for juice, spreading softened butter or cream cheese onto toast, cutting a banana with a butter knife, and pouring from a pitcher are some of our favorite easy, kid-friendly, meal prep activities. And the added bonus of taking the few extra seconds to set this up? He eats heartily and happily anything he's made with his own two hands.

How do you make your morning mealtime a hands-on activity?

Comments

[melissa s.]

we put out dried cranberries, raisins, nuts, berries, bananas, etc plus different kinds of cereals for them (4 & 2 year old) to mix themselves a different combination in the morning. i'm always amazed that their mixtures are a little different each day. and i agree - they eat better when they are able to participate in any meal prep!

[Molly]

Jen: Hi, clicked your link from the comment you left for me today.

In answer to your question about breakfast ... I don't. Morning, shamefully is not my "let' be inclusive" time. I stuble around the kitchen placing muffins on plates and cereal in bowls, all the while a steady silence looms until that warm mug is in hand. If I just rise 1/2 hour earlier all would be better ... to do, to do.

Re: your comment to me ... thank you so much. It means so much to know that someone can connect and gain something (even a tiny something) from what I put out there.

Be well,
Molly

[OTJenH]

Melissa: The morning I read your comment I put out a little "breakfast buffet" and it was so much fun. Thanks for the idea.
We do "all the fixings" for some cooking activities like omlettes, quesadillas, and salads too. Oh and ice cream sundaes, of course! Yum.

Molly: I am having caffiene envy. I am pregnant and have cut out the caffiene... sometimes it feels like I stumble through the whole day.

Thanks for the good thoughts!

Jen