What about kitchen tools?

[b_light]

Besides what your child uses to eat, do you have kitchen tools for them?

What do you have?

Where do you store them?

What do they use that you keep somewhere they can't reach (that they have to ask for)?

[Lillianna]

She has:
colander
dishbin/soap/brush
cutting board and chopper
tray for carrying plates, bowls, etc.
making muffins (flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, oil, banana)
making hot cocoa (cocoa, sugar, milk)
lunch supplies (lunch box, containers, thermos, water bottles)
step stool
oven mits
mixing bowl
napkins
tea set
cook books
towels
and measuring cups/spoons...
all at her level.
The more you can put the materials at their level, the more the child takes ownership of using them.
She does need to ask to reach the sugar when her container is empty.

[Lingmom]

I know that child-sized household items are cute and I understand why they are used in Montessori classrooms. It totally makes sense with a class of 20 little people to have little items. But at home, we've never had separate stuff for our kids and they always seem happy to use the regular stuff that we use. If they're helping with dinner, I might offer them the smaller paring knife rather than the large chef's knife I would use. If they're cleaning, they manage fine with washcloths and dustpans and brooms that I would use. Even as babies/toddlers, I was never into buying special baby items (cribs, baby bathtubs, sippy cups) when our family's regular items worked fine. While it sounds like a lot of fun to equip your house with child-sized things, your kids can also participate in household activities with regular adult tools too.

[wrzos]

I went out and bought real dishes & silverware, etc when my first was small. He didn't want to use them - wanted to use our bigger items to be like us.

So I gave up - they have free reign over my kitchen. I don't have the space to put everything low for them, but they are really good climbers - use a stool to boost themselves on the counters, etc. No messes allowed - or at least that is the theory, so they are usually pretty good at cleaning up spills and leaving the item on the counter before hopping off.

The oldest is only 4, so if they are baking it is with me, but they'll pour their own water/milk/cereal. My 4 yo will help the 2 yo reach stuff. Only rule is no black-handled knives - I keep them super sharp. 4 yo uses them w/ supervision at this point. They have their own other knives for 'normal' use...

[AngelBee]

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