The Seasoned Kids
Lesson 5: Learning to Tear
As a parent, you may not even realize that learning to tear is a lesson, but let’s talk about why it is and why it doesn’t come sooner. We need to establish with our kids a few basic cooking rules before we do this one, so they don’t walk around trying to tear everything in their sight. We all know they will. Also, some of the things that you may want them to help you with learning to tear, like onions and garlic, need to be handled with care so they don’t get anything in their eyes.
How to Start
You may not realize, but there are so many things that you actually tear while you are working in the kitchen. Tearing the skin off banana, the peel off garlic or onions, pulling broccoli florets apart from the stem, and more. It’s a vital part of the kitchen learning experience. While all of these activities are second nature for an adult, it is a huge part of feeling involved for a small child.
Tips for teaching your kids to tear
- Use a learning tower to get them stable at the counter
- Standing on a stool or sitting on the counter, doesn’t stabilize kids as much as a tower will
- Start with easy tearing foods
- It’s easier to tear off the paper layers of onions than it is to tear off broccoli florets from the stem. Tearing slices of bread apart to make stuffing is another easy task.
- In the beginning, only do cold or room temperature foods.
- As they get older, you can move onto tearing off the skin of warm potatoes, for example.
- After they have mastered easier tasks, like tearing apart a stalk of celery, allow them to combine tasks from previous weeks, like spreading something on what they tore like we show you below!
Recipe Time!
We’re so excited to share these adorable Bugs on a Log! We were inspired by always seeing ants on a log recipes shared by our friends or on Pinterest so we decided to kick it up and do other bugs too!
Watch her make it then grab the recipe below!
She’s using these Curious Chef knives in the video which allow her to cut things without getting hurt!
**Tip: Slice a small piece from the bottom of the celery to make it stay upright instead of rolling around.
- Celery
- Cream Cheese and/or Peanut Butter or other spreadable
- Toppings: Chia Seeds Cranberries, Tomatoes, Grapes, etc
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Wash and cut celery.
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Spread cream cheese or peanut on each piece of celery.
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Add desired toppings.
This post is a part of our “The Seasoned Kids”, kid’s cooking series. Learn more about The Seasoned Kids here.
Previous Lessons!
Week 1: Teaching Importance of Washing Fruits and Vegetables + Berry Parfait Recipe
Week 2: Learning to Stir + Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
Week 3: 3 Ways to Mash + Overnight Oats Recipe 3 Ways
Week 4: Spreading + Peanut Butter and Jelly Spider Sandwiches
Funny Blooper Time!
Each week, we’ll share at least one funny blooper that happened during our shoot! The little one decided she wanted no parts of participating in the video or lesson this week. This is what she decided to do instead. There’s always something going on behind the scenes!
We're Parents is a unique mom and dad natural parenting blog focusing on topics such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and car seat safety. You'll also find Delicious recipes, inspired travel recommendations, and more as you journey with us through parenting. 
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