Here are some tips for making cookie-baking a happy experience for both you and your young baker:

 

Baking is a great way to spend
time with your children.

• Let the child choose his job and how much he wants to help. Don't be surprised if his attention wanders before all the cookies are baked.
• Clear a large work area. Find an apron or an old shirt to protect the child's clothes. Keep paper towels at hand to wipe up spills promptly.
• Remember these food safety rules: 1. Wash your hands with soap and water before beginning to bake. 2. No fair eating unbaked cookie dough (because of the raw egg it contains).
• When a school-age child is helping, read through the recipe together before you begin. Assemble all the ingredients and utensils before starting to bake.
• When a young child is helping shape cookies, mix the dough ahead of time so the youngster won't lose interest before you're ready for help.
• Good jobs for a young first-time baker are placing chocolate candies in the center of a cookie after baking or decorating already-baked cookies.
• Provide icings, sprinkles, and candies for decorating. Allow children to be as artistic as they wish. Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the decorator.
• Supervise difficult or hazardous steps, such as beating with an electric mixer, transferring cookie sheets to or from a hot oven, and chopping nuts.
• Appliances can be handled by an older child who learns the dos and don'ts. That includes a reminder to unplug the mixer when putting in or taking out the beaters. Explain the importance of keeping wet hands away from appliances and electrical outlets.
• Start developing good kitchen habits early -- this is a good time to learn that cleanup is part of the project.