Grating vegetables

Recommended Age: 2 and ½ to 5 years

Purpose: To expose the child to various food preparation skills necessary for independent work in cooking

Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must model the exercise for the child and provide supervision whilst the child is doing the activity

Prerequisites

Materials

Different foods to grate for example; carrot, cheese, cucumber (note; ensure you choose foods which you know the child will eat to minimise waste OR have the child prepare an ingredient which will be used in a recipe for example the child may grate zucchini to be used for making a zucchini slice)
Plate to put the grated foods (or you may use small bowls for each different ingredient)
Child sized fork or spoon
A placemat
Child sized apron (optional)

Preparation

Lay out the chopping board, grater and foods on the placemat at the child’s table
Prepare the ingredients you will provide for example; peel the carrot, cut a suitable sized piece of cheese from the block etc

Steps

Invite the child, letting them know that you have an activity to show them
Let the child know that they will be working with food and they must first wash their hands
Go with the child to the handwashing facilities to supervise if necessary, model washing your hands
Let the child know they will need their apron, assisting them to put it on if necessary
Go with the child to their table

Have the child sit to your left if you are right handed so the child has full view of your hand movements (the child must sit on your right if you are left handed)
Name the materials at the child’s table (chopping board, grater, carrot, cheese, etc)
Let the child know that you will be showing them how to grate food
Place the grater onto the chopping board
Take the carrot, showing the child how to hold the handle of the grater with your left hand to keep the grater still and the carrot in your right

Move the carrot up and down from the top of the grater to the bottom a few times
Lift the grater and notice the grated pieces of carrot with the child
Show the child how to put the grated carrot onto the plate or into the bowl
Invite the child to have a turn (when the carrot gets very small show the child how to tuck their fingers in while grating)
Invite the child to place the grated carrot onto the plate/bowl

The child may eat the carrot
While the child is eating the carrot, wash the grater so it is ready to show the child how to grate the next ingredient when they have finished eating
Repeat as above for the next ingredient
When finished the exercise the child may help wash and dry the dishes

Variations

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