As many of you may know, we’ve never had a “typical” family, because everything we do goes through the filter of special needs children. It doesn’t occur to me that we’re “missing out” on things until I hear or see other families doing things we never could – or never would- do. Going out to eat? It’s just not done. Heading to the store with all 3 kids? Never. Helping in the kitchen? Yeah right, they’ve never shown interest.
So when a while back Mama Speaks reviewed The Learning Tower as an awesome way to keep little ones occupied and and help out mom and dad in the kitchen, and I remember thinking about what a fabulous thing it would be to have a piece like this in our house. Something that could help bridge the gap of kids connecting to their surroundings but not having the tools to do so. To get the kids up close and personal with the kitchen goings on, and to teach them the a-b-c’s of cooking, cleaning up, crafts, and more.
Now, the company who created The Learning Tower (for ages 18 months and up), Little Partners, is celebrating Love of Learning month by reaching out to 20 bloggers and spreading the word on this awesome product. Little Partners explains it best:
“For a child, the world around them is a magical and curious place. They learn by mirroring Mommy and Daddy with the ultimate goal being “to do it myself” and feel like an active member of the family. That’s why Little Partners has created the Learning Tower: a sturdy, non-tip structure that welcomes the child to safely participate with parents, caregivers, and siblings by raising them to countertop height.”
Little Partners carries the tower in a rainbow of non-toxic colors, and I’m so excited to have the chance to give away one of these awesome towers (in the color of your choice) to one lucky reader!
So here’s what you need to do to win, please read all the instructions or your entries will not count.
1) Leave a comment here telling me ways that you help your kids learn cooking, cleaning, etc (this comment is required for entry).
2) For an additional entry, tweet this contest, and include @tothink in the tweet. Leave an extra comment with the link to your tweet.
3) For more entries, post about this contest on your blog or any social media site (facebook, myspace, stumble it, etc). Leave an extra comment with the link to each post/stumble/etc
4) You can enter daily, no limit to entries.
5) This is a quickie–Contest ends Friday Feb 20th at 5pm CST. Winner will be chosen at random.
Good Luck!
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{ 272 comments }
I keep my son in the kitchen with me when I cook and do dish. He's young right now so I think modeling is the best way for him to learn at this point. And we always make a habit of cleaning up our toys at night~
Tweet Tweet
http://twitter.com/rockinmama/status/1221022097
My son loves being in the kitchen with me to "help." Every morning we make my coffee together – he just loves doing it with me. And I let him pull out almost any pot or pan that he wants to play with – have only locked the cabinet with the cleaning supplies. He loves to stir things up with spoons, so we play with bowls, spoons, and measuring cups a lot. I also try to teach him about cleaning when we clean up his playroom toys or books. I try to make it fun by singing a song and asking for his help. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome tower.
Yeah, the tower is up! I am so excited about this tower. My daughter loves to help in the kitchen spreading jelly, stirring, and helping to measure out ingredients. This tower would really help me to continue this learning with her. Fingers crossed!
My 2 1/2 year old son LOVES to bake cookies with me in the kitchen. We did this for the first time at Christmas & he was in awe! I had not done it with him before because he was diagnosed with Celiac disease earlier in the year & I just had no clue how to make gluten free goodies for him that would taste good. Now that I have that under my belt, we are branching out. He really needs to learn to be able to help out in the kitchen because eventually he should be able to prepare gluten free meals on his own. This would be a great learning tool for him!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just Tweeted this. http://twitter.com/ctb0520
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I teach my daughters bout cooking by allowing them to help with measuring and mixing ingredients. Right now, I have them sit on the kitchen counters, since I'm afraid they'll tip over if thet stand on chairs. A product like this would be such a help!!
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/easagredo
I just posted this on Facebook. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1...
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just stumbled this. http://ctb0520.stumbleupon.com/public/
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have my kids help me with measuring stuff out. They are learning fractions and enjoying it. This tower would help keep everyone so much safer in the kitchen thanks!
I try to involve my toddler in his meal preparation in hopes he will actually eat his food. He mixes his egg for the omelette, melps put slices on cheese into it and sometimes eats half of it. lol I usually allow him to sit on the counter to do this — not good nor safe so this tower looks fantastic and perfect for us.
My son loves helping out! So, I try to let him even if it's a little slower or not quite as I'd do it. He love vacuuming with my Swivel Sweeper the best! It is so cute!
I always involved my kids in the cooking process, even to the point of being a "short order cook" making whatever they each wanted for dinner. But it kept them interested in the cooking process and they ate it all. Now it is the grandchildren, my grand daughter is constantly dragging a chair around saying :I help you", I never feel safe with her on a chair, this would be an awesome tool.
Here is the link to my tweet http://twitter.com/Adriennevh/statuses/1221502353
I love to cook with my granddaughter. I love the day when she said I have to take a break and off she went to bed.
My daughter helps me fix dinner every night, she gets to stir everything and put all the ingredients in!! Cleaning up after dinner is a whole other story! She takes off!
My son and my daughter help me out a lot. They take turns helping me rinse my dishes because I don't have a dishwasher. They use chairs right now to help them reach. They also help me prepare food on my counter tops like cookies and pudding and stuff like that. They would also use this to help them with their tooth brushing because I have to stand behind them to make sure they don't fall off the stool. Thanks for the chance.
My little guy is 18 months old and very interested in me and dad are doing especially in the kitchen he helps wash dishes and does little tasks like sprinkle cheese on things- That is the biggest teaching moments to me just letting your kids get involved with the everyday stuff. Thanks so much for the AWEsome give-oh-way!
Chirp Chirp I tweeted this! http://twitter.com/audrajjensen
As a math junkie, I love to incorporate numbers with everyday situations. Cooking is one of the best ways! The obviouse choice is fractions (cups and teaspoons, etc). It helps to find a recipe and make twice as much so the kids have to double all the numbers. Plus you get twice the goodies that way!!
This Learning Tower looks amazing. How great is something like this that looks good and has educational value too!!
I blogged about this wonderful giveaway at http://kidtestedmotherapproved.blogspot.com/2009/... and I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
I told all my friends on facebook about this giveaway! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1433362490...
This is a very cool product! I would use this with my grandchildren in the kitchen baking, rolling and cutting out dough, decorating cookies, mixing up rice krispie squares, stirring….I love cooking with kids, they do learn so much!
I'm in Canada and hoping I'm eligible to enter!
We always make sure our son is involved with picking up his toys before he goes to something new- We made up a little cleaning song and now if he hears it he immediatley starts to pick up his toys.
my kids help with it, hate for them to turn out like their dad and not know how to boil water and they need to learn how to take care and feed themselves in a healthy and affordable way
I shared this on my Facebook page!
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Thanks (in Canada)
Posted a comment on my facebook!
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I show them how to do it and then I never do it for them.
My son is 15 months and I tell him what I'm doing as I'm doing it!
My two year old has his own set of bowls and utensils that I keep in the kitchen next to mine. Whenever I'm cooking he pulls out his tools and goes to work, and he gives me taste tests along the way. He's my little helper boy…He I also have to give him his own dust rag whevever I'm cleaning the house
My husband is a chef and I love to cook and bake too, so it only seemed natural that our 4 year old son would love to do it too. He gets really upset if he isn't allowed to help measure, mix, pour etc… He has his own apron that says "Future Chef" that he wears in the kitchen, that is covered with flour! He loves to do the dishes with Daddy too. There is no gender sterotyping here! Thanks for the giveaway, I would love to win one of these!
We have a conversation about what we want for supper. Do we need to go to the grocery store? Do we need a cook book. What tools do we need? After that we start prepping, where the Learning Tower would really come in handy. Then we decide if we need the oven, microwave or stove. It's generally a learning experience on both sides.
I tweeted: cammeiosis
http://twitter.com/cammeiosis/statuses/1222067760
I stumbled this contest post: cammeiosis
http://cammeiosis.stumbleupon.com/
We always let our children pick out what they want to cook. Then they make a list, we shop for the food and then we all work together to make the meal. My kids love it and we try to do this at least once per week.
I also Stumbled it at: http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.tothinkistocre...
I have the kids help me plan meals, shop for them, and then help prepare what it's safe for them to help with!
The older kids (14 and 6) are great for helping with prep work to get meals on the table, chopping veggies, tearing lettuce, pounding the life out of pieces of meat. And because the 6 year old is crazy tall for her age, she wouldn't need the towers but the little kids (the boys 3 & 5) are kind of relegated to helping clear the table of their own dishes and maybe wiping the table after meals. The would love the Towers! They do help with meal planning (done as a family to lessen 'I don't want THAT' meltdowns) and love to help me shop.
I let my children help decide what we are having for meals and I let them write out my grocery list. I also let them help with some of the prep work. They enjoy helping wipe off my counters. Thanks.
I pick simple, no cook recipes (the most fun are the no bake cookies for baking and salads for cooking…always cut the veggies, etc…up first…and they make their own). I also have them put everything in the recycling bins…the other thing is to do it within reach…so always have a smaller table to do it on…THIS is why I would LOVE to win this…so we could do it on the counter, no more little table…thanks for entry!
I help my kids learn to cook and clean by simply having them be a part of it. The 9 year old makes simple recipes such as pancakes, macaroni and cheese with broccoli, scrambled eggs, etc. The 15-month old pushes the vacuum, with supervision, and helps me pick up toys (he LOVES to do that). The teenagers, well, that's another story… I'd love to have one of these so the little guy can get in the mix with us while we're in the kitchen.
msurosey@yahoo.com
I would love this in royal blue for my grandson.. it sure is safer than sitting him on the counter
by letting them help me prepare meals occasionally and answering what questions they may have
Well our son is too young to help right now as he isn't walking, but he watches us do everything, so he is involved at that level. He is also in his sling many times while I am preparing meals and cleaning. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
http://twitter.com/bluenude3/status/1222782281
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/bluenude3 Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
Our daughter helps add in the measured-out ingredients and helps break cheddar cheese up for cheese sauce.
They learn by helping and doing, that is the best way for them to elarn.
Every Friday my grandkids (along with their parents) come to have a family night at our house. My granddaughter loves to help out and her brother is learning to help. We have had lessons on how their is a red light on the stove is hot. We work on stirring and have started working on measuring. They also help with cleanup by bringing the dishes to the dishwasher and throwing away the trash.
The apple green one would be very useful for my little toddler.
What a great idea! This would be ideal for my grandchildren.
Parker learns to clean my watching and doing what I do. I can hand that kid a rag and he will go to town.
He loves to cook with us as a family. You know, making cookies, etc. Just learning by watching and doing.
But it is frustrating for him to have to be in a high chair to be high enough to join us. The tray gets in the way. He wants to cook with us, not on a tray next to us.
Anyway, the best way to learn is to just get right in there and do it.
My little boy is such a big helper. He is 3 and he loves to help me wash his baby brothers bottles. He brings in his chair and stands at the sink while I wash them. He loves to play in the bubbles in the sink. He also loves to help unload the dishwasher. The only thing is that he sometimes wants to unload it when they haven't been washed yet. To cute! Thanks for the chance to win.
This would help my son be secure while raising him up to the level of the counter or table. He always wants to help but standing on a chair or step stool just isn't safe. This would be a wonderful way for him to watch me prepare meals and help with things like measuring or mixing
tweet http://twitter.com/kdkdkd
I always let the kids help with simple things, like Rice Krispy treats and cookies. Teaching them to cook and clean is something that will stay with them always.
My son is 2 1/2 and already loves to bake. His favorite is cracking the eggs. We try to count and measure everything as we go so he will learn about numbers. The learning tower looks a lot safer than his little stool he keeps falling off of!
Crafts would be easier to do with the learning tower!
I really got into having my preschooler help in the kitchen when I started reading books on the Montessori method of teaching/learning. One activity that even very young children can do are washing vegetables in a bowl of water with a soft scrub brush (they love this).
I also find recipies that are safe to eat raw (like a vegan cookie recipe) so that my little ones can help me without getting salmonella.
Here is my tweet: http://twitter.com/MomMostTraveled/status/1223333...
I stumbled! I'm onlycancan
http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.tothinkistocre...
I'm teaching my 8 month old just be keeping her in the kitchen and doing a "cooking show" in front of her. I talk through the measurements and their equivalents and what I'm doing. I hope I can always do this and keep her interested in cooking.
My "little helper" wants to help mommy with everything, and I encourage that. She helps Mommy get plastic bowls out (they are in HER cupboard!) and mixing spoons and she also helps me pick up the dirty laundry! It's great having a little helper and this would definitely be used in our household!
I tweeted the giveaway http://www.twitter.com/sallyanne03
Learning to cook – I usually pull up a stool and let them do prep work like mixing, measuring and such. When it comes to cleaning, we have a chore chart.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
I show them by doing it and if they have any questions, I answer them. Thanks for the giveaway!
I tweeted, http://twitter.com/christygold/status/1223492014
I blogged, http://iluvsurprizes.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-thin...
I posted on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id...
I posted on myspace, http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=u...
I stumbled, christygold2
My kids always help add spices to what I am cooking and stir & mix. I also have my oldest (6) help read from the cook book.
My daughter slipped on a chair when she was helping me in the kitchen and hit her chin on the cupboard. She ended up with 3 stitches. This is fantastic! I wish I had one of these to prevent her from falling when she did!!
Thanks for the chance!!
mogrill@comcast.net
We are a homeschooling family so I incorporate learning into everything we do. Cooking involves reading and following directions and math in the form of measuring. Our two youngest would love to use the Learning Tower!
My 3 year old son has been helping in the kitchen since he was about 22 months old. He loves to help pour in the measured ingredients – and of course – he LOVES to taste test our creations! My 18 month old daughter is just now getting curious about our kitchen festivities, and this prize would be so perfect! It's so much more stable and safe than kneeling on the kitchen chairs!
I have twins that want to cook and wash dishes with me! This would be great in the kitchen!!! Thanks for an awesome contest! What a great prize! Trish
I keep him in the kitchen with me and talk about what I'm doing. He loves to play with water and spoons and bowls.
I let my daughter in the kitchen with me all the time to help me prepare meals. She stands on a chair and I tell her we need "x" amount of this and so then she gets to count them out…so she is working on counting skills. She also gets to learn about all the food she is helping to make as well and has tons of fun with it! This would be wonderful to win so she isn't on the wiggly chair anymore
I try to teach my child how to cook and clean by explaining everything as I do it.
I help teach my daughter to cook by letting her mix ingredients, add ingredients, decorate finished products, such as do the frosting, sprinkles, add garnishes. It makes her more excited to try things that she's helped make and that makes her mom very happy!
I love the cherry color…this is such a great idea! My daughter always helps me in the kitchen…measuring and stirring the ingredients. This will ensure she is safe while doing it!
I talk with my preschooler while I'm cooking – narrating things like the measurements I'm using and what the ingredients will add to the dish. He's more willing to try the things we make because he's aware of what goes into them, and he's picking up a basic understanding of math concepts like simple fractions. He loves to help!
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/sarahmama/status/1223788858
I have them help with little jobs when I'm cooking, like tearing up lettuce for salad or using their little plastic knives to cut up small soft items. they love it and learn new skills.
my 2 yr old daughter loves helping out in the kitchen. so when i'm baking i have her help me count the cups or teaspoons of each ingredient.
My daughter, age 5, has been cooking with me for years. She likes to "mush" things like tofu (for burgers), peel cucumbers with a safety peeler, pour ingredients into the stand mixer, etc.
Right now My daughter is only 21 months, but I let her sit on the counter and help me stir and things like that, That way she feels that she Helped cook dinner, snack, dessert, Whatever we're making at that time. I think this tower would be better than sitting her on the counter! Would love to win! Thanks
I tell my son everything that I am doin while I cook. He loves it and is getting ready to help.
My daughter likes to help me count eggs and other measurements while we bake. She has even started to learn what some basic ingredients are for baked goods.
My grandchildren are welcomed into my kitchen to learn to cook and help with clean up
my little one loves to put on spread on sandwiches and garnish them
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/hgrims
My boys help by doing so many things! My 4 year old can read simple picture recipes. He and his 2 year old brother both measure, dump and mix for me.
My son loves to see what I'm stirring in the bowl. He would love to have one of these so he could always see what I'm stirring & mixing. He would even be able to help me with this!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I help my kids learn about cooking and cleaning by letting them help me do the chores. We sort laundry together, make the beds together, and cook together.
My son LOVES to help clean. He's only 22 months, but if I have the broom out, he grabs the hand vac and works right alongside me. He loves it and we make it somewhat of a game to keep it fun and exciting!
Thanks for the giveway – these are great!
I just tweeted this giveaway. http://twitter.com/ctb0520
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just stumbled this giveaway. My username is ctb0520. http://ctb0520.stumbleupon.com/public/
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love letting Little Dude help me, but I usually just let him stand in a chair. A few times I've had to keep him from falling and this would be pretty useful for avoiding having him tip the chair over! I would love white
And I wanted to ask, how did you get to go with Disney on the Cruise? Is there a way I could get involved with Disney? I LOVE Disney-worked there as an intern in college and I've been addicted ever since. My neighbors use me as a "blockbuster" for all the Disney movies, since I own most of them.
Anyways, I'm a Disney nut and would LOVE to work with them too!!
I just added a link to my Facebook page. Here's the url http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1...
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
My 6yo daughter is learning simple fractions. So as she is helping me make recipes she is learning more about math.
My 2yo daughter always wants to learn too. But we don't have a safe way for her to participate. This would a great solution for her.
Tweet Tweet
http://twitter.com/rockinmama/status/1224076294
My kids love to "work" like mommy. I tech them to help withmy baking and cleaning by doing. They are quick learners!
tuesdayef (at) aol dot com
I teach my daughter about cooking by having her help me – she loves to measure the ingredients and stir!
I let me son help in the kitchen any time he wants as long as it isn't anything dangerous. He loves to help, espcially when we are going to bake.
I let my son (4.5 years old) do simple tasks like crack the eggs, stir the sauce, sprinkle the cheese, etc.
My daughter helps me to wash the dishes and also fold the laundry. She has gotten really good at folding the towels.
Parker learns to clean my watching and doing what I do. I can hand that kid a rag and he will go to town.
We tweeted! Did ya get it?
I would love to win this for my grandson so he can watch his Mom cook dinner.
When I cook–okay, when Shane cooks because we all know I don't roll that way–Luke is a part of it. He brings a chair over to the kitchen counter, and he gets to be the one to spin the salad, and as long as it's nothing hot, he gets to stir, too.
Tweet, tweet
http://twitter.com/erincharp/status/1224704560
I let the the girls measure out easy to measure items. I make it fun by letting them do as much as safely possible. They have their own aprons and I wear mine. We have yet to let her help with the dishes besides washing her own tea set in the bathtub with her.
My little boy is too young to do much, but he does help me empty out the dishwasher by handing me the silverware. The learning tower would be great to get him off the floor and see what is going on.
I have my neice over for lunch have her help make the sandwiches….sometimes it gets a little messy but hey ………..she has fun. And I try to have it be healthy and fun
I love to let my son stir batter. It is by far his favorite thing to help me with. I will also allow him to pour things from measuring cups. He is really into it!
Lee
I posted a comment on Twitter @LeeChrista
I posted on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_i...
I Stumbled you! http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.tothinkistocre...
My littleone loves to cook with her Mama. This would be SO helpful~
We always teach them to pick up after themselves even though it would be easier to take care of it ourselves sometimes. Taking the time to have the kids do it themselves instills responsibilities and it will become a habit for them.
My grandaughter sits on the counter with her little cookware trying to copy everything I do.
My daughter helps me with measuring things. She also loves to roll dough and then has is "sleep" (rise).
Different day. Another entry. Woo hoo!!
I tweeted this contest!
These are so awesome- I always let the kids help when they wanted- starting with a bowl of ice and wooden spoon to help cook and lemon baking soda water to clean- progress as they do.
Tweeted dddiva Win a learning tower @tothink http://tinyurl.com/c8vxeb
I homeschool my boys (6 and 9) and we have been studying different countries this year. To get them interested in cooking, we have been making food from the different countries.
My son likes to help me sweep with the broom, so we take turns.
this would be for my grandson but when my daughter was little I would let her help me when I was cooking and she always had cleaning chores
We make up silly songs about cooking and cleaning while we do it
My son loves to 'help' .. his favorite is helping to butter his toast with his little knife.. this is such a great tool to have in the kitchen for continuing his love for cooking and 'helping'!
He enjoys mixing and getting ingredients for me.
Please enter me in this contest.I am a subscriber.
Right now we are learning about the pantry and where groceries come from. We've talked about wet and dry ingredients and how mixing a bunch of stuff together can make something totally new. They know the stove is hot and is off limits. I am trying to teach them it is best to clean up as we go along. Like when we are done mixing something, the bowl goes in the sink. They like to mix and preparing bakery items is about all we've done so far. With the Learning Tower we could do so much more and it would be safer too.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/src1964/statuses/1225245444
I Stumbled this awesome contest. src1964
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I give my kids washcloths to dust my furniture and they think it's such a big job and they love to do it. Thanks again for the chances.
I put my daughter in the kitchen with me each evening as I cook dinner. Right now I place her in her stroller so that she stays safe and out from under my feet, so this would be a great way for her to help out when she gets a little bit older. Thanks!
2/18/2009 – I love the apple green one!
I posted this on my blog!
My best tip for helping my kids learn to clean is NOT doing it for them. Though it may SEEM easier for me to toss the toys back into the toybox, rather than step over them, I'm doing my kids a favor teaching them that they MUST clean up after themselves. I want them to become adults who clean up their own messes.
My daughter's official title is cooker helper.
She loves to be involved and "read" ingredients for the recipes. She shakes the sprinkes (salt & pepper) on the eggs when we are making scrambled eggs. She loves to push the button on the blender so she can say that she made the babies food.
tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/nape9393/status/1225358452
I help my child learn how to cook by telling him what I am cooking and how I am doing it (all while he watches me)
I just started cooking with my grandaughter. I have her help pick out the recipes then check to see that we have the ingredients we need. She then does the measuring & mixing. We then try it out on her grandpa.
My daughter is wanting to "help" dry things (floor, hands, dishes, etc.), so I give her a towel and let her go to town.
We just involve kiddos at a very young age (as in wearing them in a carrier while doing chores!) and as soon as they are able to assist even minimally we let them!
This looks so neat, it would be great for my girls. I teach my daughters cooking by having them help me in the kitchen doing whatever is safe for there age. My younger girl helps with clean-up and stirring jobs, while my older daughter can chop and stir stuff on the stove. They both love to cook!
My son is almost three and he is given the opportunities to add ingredients or mix. He is always right there helping. Since he was about 2 years old, he was given the task of setting the table. I would hand him each item and he would correctly place it on the table everytime. Just realizing that your kids are capable at a young age is an important start.
Right now we work on cleaning up after ourselves, especially toys in the living room……and picking up any trash and bringing it to mommy to throw away. So far, so good. My son isn't great at doing the pickup of toys all the time…..but we are still growing and working on it. The tower is a great learning aid in all ways. Awesome Giveaway!
I have taught my older kids to cook and am trying to teach my younger kids to cook by letting them watch me and then letting them start off with the easy tasks until they are ready for the larger ones.
This is my daily entry for Thursday! Woohoo!
Hubby's hobby is cooking and he's laid off so he has been home, cooking with the kids everyday. We borrowed Paula Deen's My First Cookbook from the library with simple easy to follow recipes. To make dishwashing & cleaning up more fun, I have a variety of different brushes & scrubbers. We add extra dishsoap for more bubbles and they love to clean up!-But- the chairs we use for the kids to stand on slide on the kitchen floor-and a month ago my son even had to get 4 staples in his head from falling! That is where a learning tower would come in SO handy.
My son is just ten months old, but I would love to have this for the future! Right now he stays with me in the kitchen and is hopefully learning from the things I do with him in my arms. This would be so nice to have for when he's old enough to work side by sied!
This is a great product – a friend has one and recommends it to everyone!
Letting them "try things themselves" like measuring is a great teaching tool.
Right now I pull my son up to the table in his high chair and let him "help." Like pulling off a little piece of dough for him to knead, etc. Then I he has to wipe his area off and try to stay clean. (He's too young to do a good job, so I re-clean it, but at least he tries!
My 2 year old Brayden is now OBSESSED with cooking… not only does he want to help in the kitchen all the time, but ASKS me to "make Paula Deen on TV" on the Food Network. And the best thing is that HE IS LEARNING PATIENCE, since cooking takes time… WOW! We've got another one on the way and I'm not so sure there's adequate room for TWO kiddies on one of those…
THANKS!
I try to involve my children in what I'm doing by having them do simple things that they can do based on their ages. My 3yo throws things away for me, the 6yo pours things in bowls, and the 8yo stirs.
I guess teaching my girl how to cook is a no brainer for me. I just do what my mom did. She's always at the counter when I am, unless I'm cutting things with the 'big knife.' She 'dumps' the ingredients and mixes the easy stuff. I've actually been saving for a learning tower or something similar so she doesn't have to stand on the kitchen chairs. As for cleaning and other housework, she's just at the age where she wants to help all the time, and I let her. Even if it means things take a little longer. I love watching her learn.
I also like the apple green item. Excellent for the kids.
Still keeping my fingers crossed! I love the Cherry and know I could make a happy home for it in my kitchen…
My kids help by stirring and helping to add ingredients. Also, I try to let them help with a little cleaning and dish drying!
cjnedrow@gmail.com
I got a special 'childsafe'knive from a Montessori Catalog formy little guy so he can learn to help cut things- being child safe it mostly works on soft things like boiled eggs and cheese but it still a learning experience for him.
I stumbled this! http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.tothinkistocre... (I'm audrajjensen)
We have our child help with everyday chores like folding laundry, sweeping and vaccuuming. Sure it takes twice as long with him 'helping' but it teaches him about cleaning and gets him involved. Thank you for the contest.
I tweeted this today! http://twitter.com/audrajjensen
I tell my daughter it is not only important to know how to cook but also to clean up as you go instead of at the end. That way you do not have much to clean up after dinner and can sit and enjoy the family. My grandkids would love the apple green, plus it would go great with my kitchen.
I blogged about this on my family blog ajjensen dot blogspot dot com
Here's my daily entry for today: I also instill a sense in my kids that contributing to cooking and cleaning efforts is something that everyone can do to help our family. My son has really enjoyed washing a few (non-breakable) dishes in the sink. For him, it's more like water play. Bubbles, warm water and different textured scrubbies – what's not to like? I wish I still had that joy for doing dishes!
My daughter likes to "help" me vaccum. It is really sweet!!
Twittered.
http://twitter.com/AjBeede/status/1227298341
I help my daughter to cook/clean by letting her help me with whatever I'm doing and I explain why I'm doing things.
My two year old helps me bake and we count out the measurements.
i let my grandaughter help with chores so she'll know how to clean and cook.
MY GANDSON WILL LVE TO HAVESOMETHINGLIKE THAT. THANKOU FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN THIS.
My daughter is not quite two, so she hasn't been real involved in cooking and cleaning yet. But she does love doing the laundry with me. When sorting clothes I use different colored laundry baskets. I hand her each piece of clothing and tell her which color basket to put it in. It has helped her to learn those few colors quicker than some others.
Not only does my son love to help me cook, but he LOVES to help me vacuum! I can't vacuum without him grabbing the vacuum & helping. He usually starts pulling in the opposite direction of what I'm vacuuming, but that's ok, he's still learning!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just tweeted this contest. http://twitter.com/ctb0520
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just stumbled this. http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.tothinkistocre...
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just put a link to this contest on my Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1...
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
My son is only 3, but he loves to help me count and measure when I cook.
My little girl sits on the kitchen counter between me and the bowl and "helps" me stir. Now that she is 18 months this is getting more and more difficult. I sure could use this product! What a great idea!
My daughter is 3 and she loves to help wash fruits and veggies. I also hold her while I am stirring and I let her do it too. She also helps set the table and unload the dishwasher! Thanks!
my2sillyluvbugs@sbcglobal.net
My little man loves to help me in the kitchen, but we always have the dileema of how to get things on his level. I'm scared of using a stepstool because we ave hard tile floors. We usually end up having to move everything we're working on to the kitchen table wheich is such a shame because we have a wide open bar space on the kitchen counter that is perfect for cooking and crafting. The Learning Tower looks like the perfect fix for us! Right now, we have been working on some gifts in a jar. It's perfect for his little hands and he loves pouring things into the jars for me…Makes him feel like a BIG boy! Thanks for featuring such a nifty product!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
My kids love to help me cook! This would be a much safer way for them to help me!
Here's my entry for Thursday. My son is 20 months old, and I can't wait to have him start helping me in the kitchen. The Learning Tower would be a big help!
I would love a black one to have my 3 year old help with kitchen duty. SHe loves to cook but falls off our stoll at least once a week. THis would be great!
My oldest daughter opens cans with the can opener for dinner, my 2 year old puts the silverware on the table, and my 4 year old helps load the dishwasher. We also make a lot of cookies, cakes and breads and they all take turns measuring and pouring.
I am trying to teach my grandson that if you "mess up, you clean up". If you spread toys all around, then they must be picked up at the end of play. If you spill something, then you wipe it up. By sitting him on the kitchen counter, he can "make" food with me by stirring whatever needs stirring. He helps strip a bed, and puts sheets, etc. in the washing machine. If they are taught basic cleaning and cooking very young; they become self-sufficient teens.
My grandchildren love to help grandma in the kitchen making salad. My granddaughter is only 4 so I let her tear up the lettuce while my 7 year old grandson does the stirring and mixing. I love having them live here to have fun and talk. I love the Royal Blue one. That would be great and so safe for my granddaughter. Thank you!
My daughter is 2 and loves to be in the kitchen. While I am cooking she grabs a pot and gets scraps of food like carrots and cherrios and other non staining foods to put in her pot. When its done and mixed she usually tells me it is guacamole
I would love to bring her up to the counter to really help cook. Thanks
I help mykids by letting them help with the "little" things, like mixing, or pouring ingredients into the bowls.
I remember the first time my , now grown, daughter tugged at my apron, and said MOMMY please I want to help. I looked at her little frame and height and thought, oh my… how many broken dishes can I afford?…. but then I took a step back and with a big smile pulled up a chair with a high back, took off my apron , folded it over, and handed her a dish cloth with instructions and encouragement. She was about 3 I think….. but this was a big lesson in responsibility and sharing for her.. I know it made her gain values that only can be taught through times like that. I will never forget her smile…. now as I face grandchildren and it would be easier to just do it myself, I step back and remember the important lessons in allowing the children to step up to the counter and become participants in whatever ways available… it is vital for their maturity and growth and self worth. So whether it is pancakes, or muffins, or cupcakes, or mixing the ingredients for meatloaf or stirfry, I am learning too… This great product would be such an addition to any home with young children. ( and stop a lot of accidents waiting to happen with the little ones continuing to try to climb up on counters to be in the midst of the party!!!)
thanks for the review and the giveaway!
cathy b
project hope 7 ( at ) g mail (dot ) com
2/19/09 – I love that you can set it up as a puppet theater or turn it into a creative drawing space with the blackboard accessory.
Would love this for cooking with my little cheifs…. love it in the dark cherry
Right now we use a chair and let her make bread crumbs and let her "help" do dishes that are plastic!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/wastebasket/statuses/122956553...
I stumbled your giveaway
Username: wastebasketsa
I blogged about this giveaway: Here
My baby is too young to cook or clean yet but I hope to get her interested in cooking by letting her watch me and later let her join in when she wants even when when all she does at first is make a mess . To teach her to clean I'd have her clear away her toys from common areas (like the livingroom floor) at the end of the day.
The way I help teach my niece to clean is by helping her put things away when she's wanting to play with something new. We've also lost pieces and I helped her understand that sometimes happens if our things aren't picked up. I sure could use some more tips on the cleaning part of the day. Oh and the eating of new/vegetables/what we are having for dinner/no more candy parts of the day as well.
Tweet Tweet http://twitter.com/rockinmama/status/1229640277
This is my daily entry for Friday!
we love to cook around here. my kiddos help out somehow at every meal; be it cracking an egg, stirring something, or pressing a button. this looks great!
OMG!!! Love it!!! I truely enjoy being in the kitchen and would love to teach my son how to cook and bake as well! This is such a great idea, I'd love to win one!!!
Another entry thank you!!!
I try to make it fun and let my niece help me.
My grandson loves to help me cook. Ive been teaching him measuring. We would love this in royal blue.
My daughters love to help make lunch for when daddy comes home from work. This would be a great and safe addition to our kitchen!
02/20/2009 – I just read it holds up to 500lbs! Wow, even as an adult you could use it to safely stand on instead of a chair for an extra boost.
My daughter loves to cook with me. We find the numbers on the measuring cup, talk about proper food handling, and she loves to mix things. This would be great for us so we wouldn't have to use the chair that has no arms on it and is easy to fall from. Thanks!
Everybody always has a "job" no matter how young they are. Sometimes you have to be very creative to figure out what the job could be, but the payoff has been worth it.
Tweet Tweet http://twitter.com/rockinmama/status/1230609516
My 5 yo loves helping in the kitches. I try and have him do things like mix ingrediants. His favorite recipe is quesadillas because he loves being able to add just the ingrediants he loves- cheese and black olives only!
Well it depends on which child you want me to tell you about..my 7 yr old loves to cook, she loves to measure and mix..mommy does all the hot and sharp work tho….the 5 yr old loves to mix…and my 23 month old, even tho he is a boy loves the toy vacuum…he walks behind me while I vacuum and runs his toy one. Its very cute.
Twittered: http://twitter.com/bubele/status/1230633209
My son is only 10 months old, but already I take him in the kitchen with me while I'm working so that he gets used to seeing mommy cook. I intend to get him some play food to cook with, and also teach him to cook alongside of me. All men should be able to make at least something!
Tweeted here http://twitter.com/KatydidandKid/status/123064449...
This is my Friday entry (other comments were earlier in the week). I really like your blog. And am of course excited about the giveaway! Thanks for giving us so many chance to win.
Our kid goes to a democratic free school where they all have to cook and clean for the school.
Not only does my son love to help in the kitchen, he also loves to help me use my Swiffer Wet Jet! He loves to squirt the cleaner out! He's going to make some lady happy one day, if he still loves cleaning then!
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just Tweeted. My username is ctb0520. http://twitter.com/ctb0520
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just Stumbled this giveaway. My username is ctb0520. http://ctb0520.stumbleupon.com/public/
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
My son is potty-training and as a reward, we bake cookies together! He loves to add the ingredients I've measured and always wants to stir! It is a fun project!
I just posted a link on my Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1...
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
My 2-year-old loves to help cook as much as she can, so she usually ends up on the counter (I would love The Learning Tower so that she doesn't have to sit up there) using a big spoon to help stir. She has gotten better at pouring and mixing and helping pass ingredients and hopefully as she gets older she'll pick up more skills. Thanks!
My Granddaughter loves to come to my house to make cookies, we have so much fun together baking and eating.
Oh my goodness. My son loves to help me "mix." In fact, when we come back from the store and anything is a box like a cake mix he wants to cook it then. A friend has this and it is just wonderful! We would take the white as it matches the trim in our kitchen!!! So much better than a stool.
i let them assist in adding indgredients and once we put everythin gin the oven i give them a wet towel to wipe everything up and they put all spices away
we give tthem clorox wipes to clean after they use the counters for baking cookies.
Those are soo cute! My kids are constantly helping me in the kitchen (we have videos to prove it) and I love the learning skills, counting, measuring, and the life skills that theygain while helping me. Plus, those are such treasured moments for all of us.
Having something sturdy and stable for them to stand on instead of achair, priceless!!!
Love the black one! So sleek!
by having them pick something they would like and making it together
My kids help in the kitchen when it comes to cooking. Especially when it's baking a sweet treat, or making homemade pizza. They clear their plates to the counter, but having one of these towers (the natural one would be snazzy!) would let them help with cleaning the dishes, too!
I have my preschool aged son help with cooking by having him choose recipes, "read" them with me, and measure and pour ingredients. He's tried many new foods because he's had a hand in making them, and it's truly enjoyable for me to spend time with him this way, too!
Daly coment for Friday. My daughter would really love to have a space of her own in the kitchen. I know lots of yumy things would come out of it. Thanks
My girls have always naturally followed me around the house even when I clean, so as they have gotten older I have taught them about chemical and kitchen safety, and we are working on measuring in cooking right now.
My daughter loves to help add ingredients to the mixes and loves to be involved in the whole cooking process. Thanks for the chance to win a great prize!
I would love this for my 3 year old who is now standing on the kitchen chair to watch me cook!
Well the grandkids are about to arrive… its Friday! Oh gosh, wouldn't it be wonderful if I had one(actually 2) of these(in Natural) for the 2 and 4 yr olds!..this is so innovative… hope this company does really well.
cathy b
project hope 7 at g mail dot com
http://insearchofthebest.blogspot.com
Well the grandkids are about to arrive… its Friday! Oh gosh, wouldn't it be wonderful if I had one(actually 2) of these(in Natural) for the 2 and 4 yr olds!..this is so innovative… hope this company does really well.
I would love to win this for my twins and little one in the dark cherry color!
I tweeted you at twitter! http://twitter.com/projecthope7
cathy b
project hope 7 at g mail dot com
http://insearchofthebest.blogspot.com
By watching me and then if he asks I let him help me, in his own way.
skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
I always asked my kids to help me cook. They love to stir, add and pour. Cleaning up is another thing. I would love to win this learning tower.
my kids love helping me cook in the kitchen but they hate helping with housework..we just try to make everything a family thing with no child left behind..lol
I help my daughter how to clean up after herself by picking up her toys and putting them back where they belong, then I ask her to copy what mommy does (with the smaller toys).
I allow my daughter to scoop out the cookie mix into the cookie sheet. It isn't that much buy at least she gets to help into with the cookies. This would be great to have so I don't have to worry about her falling off the step stool. Great contest!
I allow my kids to make their now sandwiches (with my supervision) for lunch when I am not at work…it isn't really "cooking" but it does help them learn about nutriention and they get to help out in the kitchen.
I blogged you here http://littlekiwismommy.blogspot.com/2009/02/curr...
I use the KISS method and then lead by example. Give children hands on opportunities – measuring, stirring, drying non-breakable items, putting dishes in the dishwasher, etc. Emphasize safety often! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
We encourage them to help out with little things while we fix a meal. They usually are eager.
TWEETED YOU!
http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/1231723269
I think it is a great idea to have the kid(s) help make the meal in the kitchen.
When I cook something that needs to be measured I usually ask the kids to help fill the measuring cups and I show them how to level off the top with the side of a knife, they enjoy that. Thanks for a great giveaway!
To learn cooking: My 18mo old will sit on the counter and help stir when I'm baking. He also tastes most ingredients.
To learn cleaning: I do my best to remain patient when encouraging him to put his toys in their baskets when he's finished. It would be easier (and faster) to just do it myself quickly but he'd never learn that way.
BTW, we'd love to win this because he's getting too big and much too squirmy to sit on the counter.
I tweeted on twitter here:
http://twitter.com/trishden/status/1232104376
Thanks
trishden
Tweeted it too. @sweetbabboo
http://twitter.com/sweetbabboo/status/1232104543
Tweet! @liz217304
I help them learn by giving easy to understand and detailed instructions.
I have my kinder measure things for me and stir when possible.
I can't wait to put the cherry tower in my kitchen so my daughter can help me in the kitchen
Although my son is under a year old, I put him in the kitchen in his Stokke high chair while I am making meals. He squeals and flaps his arms as I describe the whole process. To me, the kitchen is not just for moms, but I want him to feel comfortable in the space and grow up learning to love to prepare his food.
I would love one of these towers! My little girl loves to help me cook everyday. When its not safe or practical for her to help with a certain task, I give her some measuring cups and let her pour water back and forth in the sink. This would be much safer than the tippy step stool we've been using.
With wee man I always let him help add or stir something… We talk about the dangers of the kitchen and when and what he can do… Then we take those skills and he cooks for us on his playset of pots and pans…
I forgot about daily entries, so I guess this is my second and last.
The big challenge is allowing my daughter to mix things and not make a total mess, beating eggs is always fun… then we started with measuring amounts and counting things- eggs, butter chunks, etc
Oh my I love the apple green for our 16 month old who loves to be in the kitchen when her mommy is busy cooking. This would help see better and would make it safer for her because she tries to stand up in her high chair. We help her learn by including her in everything we do even if its in a very small way. We even give her her very bowl to mix and stir…I use fruit pieces cut up small like canned peaches and canned pears so she thinks she is mixing. She loves it and it helps with her motor skills too.
Anytime I cook and there is an op for me to let him join in I do. Why not it teaches him measuring and also when he grows up I want him to cook not just his wife. Should he get married? Now the cleaning tips I will be tuning in for. Boy I need them.
I have a song that my 2 yo daughter and I sing when we clean up her books and toys. so far, when she hears the song, she gets right to cleaning up!
Wow, this would work so much better than cramming tippy chairs into our small kitchen!
My two children love to help me bake, and are extra proud to eat the results. We practice counting when measuring items in, and learn how to stir GENTLY. (they're still working on that)
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