Green Beans are healthy, juicy and crunchy vegetables that are rich in nutrients. Very young children, just inducted into the kitchen, find the single step process of breaking beans just enough to challenge and hold their attention. The slender pods of the green beans help the child’s tender hands find strength in breaking them; there is joy in discovering tiny green beans inside. The repetition of the same step helps them gain confidence and a sense of completion of a task from start to finish.

Who is this for?

I would recommend this for children as young as 16 – 19 months. Even if they aren’t walking well, the adult can set this activity up at a table with a seat for the child to challenge their fine motor skills and muscle strength.

Things Required

• 1 bowl (with a handful of green beans)
• 1 colander

Preparation

Traditionally, green beans come with a thin string that runs along the seam. If you find this variety, for younger children, it is better to pick pods with the stalk. That way, we can show them to snap the stalk and also pull the string. In this recipe, I have used beans that do not have the string and can just be snapped in two. Also, a point to note is that when beans are steamed, there is usually no need to pull the string.

If you prefer, you are also free to trim the edges of the beans before setting the activity up for the child. In that case, it is nice to show them how you trim the edges. The child can be involved in discarding the edges.

As always, you are the best judge of what works well for your child in your home!

Illustrated Guide

I like to begin with an invitation, “Let us break some beans and steam them for lunch.”  Introduce everything at the table. It is nice to point to the pods and even create an element of surprise on what will be inside when we snap the pods. 

It is also wonderful to describe some physical properties for children such as “Oh these beans are green in colour, they are slender and long.” etc.

Show the child to take and hold a pod in both hands.

Exaggerate applying pressure and break the beans into two pieces.

Point to the surprise in the pod – the tiny green beans.

If you find that even after breaking, the beans are long, you can just casually remark, “Oh, this is still long, I am going to make it shorter” and then just snap it again.

Place the broken beans in the colander. Let the child break beans however they can.

Once the beans are broken, they can be taken in the colander for washing. Involve the child in putting the used items away or for wash.

Short Guide

• I like to begin with an invitation, “Let us break some beans and steam them for lunch.”
• Introduce everything at the table. It is nice to point to the pods and even create an element of surprise on what will be inside when we snap the pods. It is also wonderful to describe some physical properties for children such as “Oh these beans are green in colour, they are slender and long.” etc.
• Show the child to take and hold a pod in both hands.
• Exaggerate applying pressure and break the beans into two pieces.
• Point to the surprise in the pod – the tiny green beans.
• If you find that even after breaking, the beans are long, you can just casually remark, “Oh, this is still long, I am going to make it shorter” and then just snap it again.
• Place the broken beans in the colander.
• Let the child break beans however they can.
• Once the beans are broken, they can be taken in the colander for washing.
• Involve the child in putting the used items away or for wash.