Sometimes the simplest ideas are brilliant. My three and a half year old son came up with this one.  He said, “Let’s make cookies and put them on a stick!”  He recently discovered the joy of eating popsicles, so eating things on a stick was fresh in his mind.

He was also motivated because making cookies always means he gets to lick the batter… and of course younger brother was too.

I’ve noticed that young children immerse themselves in everything they do at a very deep level. So when they mix, add ingredients, and taste what they are baking, getting lost in the “doing”, their hands *and hearts* are fully engaged in the experience.  I pause every time noting that this kind of activity is truly “food” for their soul.

For young kids, imitation is a crucial building block to their life-long success and well being. When they get to do “what mom does” and literally get their hands in it, not only does it seems to cool to them…  But also, when they see *their idea*, *their creation* come to life, it builds on their self esteem.  They see themselves as creators and feel empowered by it.  I’m so happy and impressed that when my three and a half year-old son wants something, the first thing out of his mouth is not “can we buy it”, but rather “how can we make it?”

His proud little smile says it all!

I hope you can find what gives your children this sense of pride and satisfaction.  And do it with them often…

Bon Appetit, enjoy your cookie on a stick treat!

Your Sensible Girlfriend

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies On A Stick Recipe

(Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated Chewy-Oatmeal Rasin Cookies)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar (or succanat)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.  Whisk dry ingredients.  Beat butter until creamy.  Add sugars; beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat the eggs, one at a time.  Stir the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.  Stir in oats and chocolate chips.  Roll cookie dough into 2  to 2 & 1/2 inch balls and stick a popsicle stick into the middle of it.  Bake until the edges of the cookie are brown, about 22 to 25 minutes.  Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.  Lift cookies with a wide spatula.  Let cool 30 minutes (unless you must eat one immediately). (And yes, we do save our used popsicle sticks for projects like this!)