TOKYO - A toddler boy rhythmically mashes sweet potatoes in a bowl, displaying a brief moment of skill before things turn chaotic. This adorable cooking adventure of a one-year-old has garnered a whopping 4.45 million views, eliciting comments such as "He's got the poise of a seasoned pro".
The mother who posted the video offers valuable insights into child rearing.
"I want to create an environment where children can try anything, drawing out their strengths," she shared.
The Instagram video "Don't Miss Out on Making Sweet Potato" featuring her second son has received an overwhelming response. "Honestly, I never expected it to be viewed by so many people. I'm truly happy to receive those heartwarming messages. It's great that it could show that even small children can do this kind of thing. They might fail, but it's interesting, fun, and I'm glad to be given an opportunity to share that!"
Despite various mishaps, like "drinking" butter directly or snacking voraciously during taste tests, many have praised the toddler's proficiency.
"We started 'kitchen parenting' about four years ago when my eldest son was a baby. With my second son, we began from infancy too, starting with just watching, touching vegetables, and so on. From around 14 months, he's been peeling boiled eggs."
What are the benefits of 'kitchen parenting'?
"The chance to experience and learn from failure! Of course, we must prevent injuries and burns, but there are no right answers in cooking. Children can enjoy cooking freely as they imagine, and even if they fail, they learn to think about what they could do differently next time. It cultivates their ability to think and solve problems. Through these experiences and failures, not only the child but also the parents can grow!"
One-year-olds often end up eating the ingredients while helping.
"Yes, that's true. But with this sweet potato recipe, all the ingredients are safe to eat as they are, so you can make it together with peace of mind."
The absence of "raw eggs," commonly used in many sweet potato recipes, is due to such considerations. With nine years of experience as a nutritionist in a daycare, it's a "safe recipe" from a mom who's an expert in cooking and nutrition.
"In kitchen parenting and beyond, I try to watch over my children without intervening when they are trying or thinking about something. Also, instead of assuming they 'can't do it' from the start, I aim to create an environment where they can think 'maybe I can? What will happen if I try?' and draw out their potential. Parenting is a daily challenge, but (laughs)."
Source: Oricon
