Most household injuries involving small children occur in the bathroom and kitchen.
By never allowing my toddlers into the kitchen we avoided any kitchen incidents.
As they began to crawl, I would calmly and consistently turn then away from the entrance to the kitchen with a quiet but firm"That's a no". I would simply pick them up and return them to the other side of the lounge room that contained their toys. One child needed three reminders, another three days worth, and another about three weeks of patient training before they understood that the kitchen was off limits.
As they grew, they enjoyed special baking, mixing and creating times with mum in the kitchen, never alone.
As they grew a little more, they enjoyed learning how to put simple meals together and how to manage basic chores.
Now every week they each cook a whole family meal - and clean up!!
