亲爱的安妮:
I have two sons, 7 and 3, who keep me on my toes. What would be the right age to teach them how to use the kitchen?
我有两个儿子,一个7岁,一个3岁,他们让我整天忙个不停。教他们如何在厨房做饭的最佳年龄是多少?
My husband doesn't have any idea how to cook a meal for himself, and I don't want my boys to be so helpless. I would like to guide them, step by step, and make them independent in case I'm not around someday.
我的丈夫不太会为自己做饭,而我也不想让孩子们变得无助。我想要一步步指导他们,让他们独立起来,以防我不在他们身边。
I know this could be enjoyable for them, but since they are so small and mischievous, I fear they might create a mess or have a serious accident. When are they old enough to use a gas stove or a kitchen knife? - Chief Cook in New York
我知道这对他们来说会很好玩,但他们还很小,又淘气,所以我担心他们会把厨房弄得一团糟,或发生严重的事故。他们什么时候才能够使用煤气炉,或者菜刀?——来自纽约的大厨
Dear Chief Cook:
亲爱的大厨:
Everyone, male or female, should know how to get around the kitchen. Your 3-year-old can set a table (without knives), fold napkins, knead dough, get out pots and pans and help you sweep. He can learn to make a sandwich. Your 7-year-old should be able to peel vegetables and, under supervision, put food in the oven and use a knife. He can learn to scramble eggs and make toast. There will be a mess, but they can help you clean it up.
不论是男人还是女人都应该了解如何做饭。你3岁的儿子可以布置餐桌(除了刀具)、叠餐巾,揉面团,把锅和盘拿出来,帮你扫地。他还能学着做三明治。你7岁的儿子应该能够给蔬菜削皮,在有大人的监督下把食物放进烤箱以及使用刀具。他还能学着打蛋,烤面包。肯定会出现烂摊子,但他们能帮你清理干净。
You can find lots of information and kid's cookbooks at your library, bookstore and in parenting magazines and online forums. Good luck, Mom.
你还能在图书馆,书店,亲子杂志以及网络论坛中发现许多适于孩子的烹饪书以及其他信息。祝您好运,妈妈。