Preparing vegetables for roasting is an easy, tasty first “recipe” that a toddler can do all on her own. From cleaning, to chopping, to seasoning, this is something kids can learn how to do independently, before they’re 3.

No, seriously. It’s amazing. At 2 years old, kids are curious, passionate little mighty chefs. Their competency (and usefulness!) might completely surprise you. (Actually, at 3, this is still a favorite because it’s SO MESSY aka the best part about cooking.)

As Bean approached 2, her fine motor skills and ability to follow a simple sequence took off. Whereas at 1, she got so excited that she’d grab everything before I was finished showing her how to use it, at 2, she could control that impulse and watch before plunging into her task. This felt like a major developmental breakthrough; she was on her way from baby to kid.

As Bean approached two, she had a few cooking skills down: washing vegetables in the sink and culling vegetables from my chopping board into a bowl. (Obviously, the bowl is more of a “make work” task, that I knew a 1 year old could accomplish, and she did so happily and dutifully.)

I would normally take over from there, but she was ready for more. Switching out the bowl for a roasting pan was an easy step. Next, she watched me drizzle olive oil over the vegetables and season with salt and pepper, then toss. She insisted on tossing, obviously, because it probably looked like SO MUCH FUN. After a week, I handed off drizzling the olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper to her.

(Needless to say, none of this will be perfect. Dave and I ate over-seasoned vegetables a few times as Bean figured out how much salt is too much. It’s fine. I would mention that I thought that was enough salt, but mistakes were handled naturally – “hm, the potatoes taste salty, we probably put too much salt on them this time.” No need to freak out. And, yeah, she eventually figured out a normal amount of salt.)

At this stage, I started brainstorming what vegetables could a toddler chop all on her own? Once a toddler can chop the vegetable too, she’ll have mastered all the steps necessary for preparing roasted vegetables all by herself.

Asparagus is an easy no-brainer. All a toddler has to do is break off the ends. Just like breaking sticks at the park, but edible. Bean took to that swimmingly.

With a dull wavy vegetable chopper, a toddler can also chop carrots and other softer root vegetables. (Remember to cut the carrot lengthwise, so that it doesn’t roll around on the cutting board, before handing it over.)

Breaking apart broccoli heads is another simple, enjoyable toddler task.

And there you have it. Once your toddler can chop/prepare some vegetables, they are fully armed to make a pan of roasted vegetables all by themselves. (Well, you still need to put it in the oven.)

To help her accomplish this on her own, I set up a workstation on a small Ikea table complete with bowl of raw vegetables, roasting pan, vegetable chopper, small cutting board, and small bowls with olive oil, salt, and pepper. I would still help her reach the sink, but she could do everything else from there, comfortably at a workspace at her own height.

At the dinner table, she would nearly glow with pride as Dave thanked her for the delicious asparagus. Not only does she already know how to roast vegetables at 3, but she also has this strong sense of accomplishment and pride that she’s contributing in a significant and real way to her family. It’s awesome.