Cooking with a Toddler: Peeling and Slicing Eggs

We use a Kitchen Helper which we purchased off amazon. It is perfect for our small kitchen as it folds up and can be stored in this otherwise unused space beside our fridge

We also like it because at 16 months, he can pull it out and open it up independently

He can also climb into it independently. We started using it around 8 months when he could stand without support and had to lift him in and out of it. He started climbing in by himself at 14 months and has just recently figured out how to climb out.

On a tray, I have a bowl to hold the egg and eventually the shells, the slicer and a bowl for the sliced egg. Ideally there should be three bowls one to hold the egg before and after peeling, one for the shells and one for the sliced egg.
Take the egg and tap gently to make a crack

And start peeling. This requires and builds patience and concentration in the child and definitely requires patience from the adult as it can take a while.

Peel, drop the shell in the container

Repeat

When you are tempted to help, look at the focus on that face, and look at the fingers to remind yourself of the concentration and fine motor skills being developed. This is a good time to work on other things.

When he comes out of his trance and calls to you is done, it’s time to slice! Open the slicer while mummy rinses the egg

Put in the egg

Press down to slice

Press all the way until the slicer is closed. It might look like nothing happened

There are many ways to transfer the egg to the bowl. We prefer to…

lift gently to the bowl

and pour

You might drop one slice in the process but it’s ok… just follow the 3 second rule. 🙂

I’m done mum!

Apron comes…

off!

And he takes his egg to his table to enjoy 🙂