Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling turns 500

The Agony and the Ecstasy: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling turns 500 - It is one of the most famous works of art in the world - so why isn't the Vatican making more of its big anniversary?

Perhaps second only in fame to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel opened to the public for the first time 500 years ago this week in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

ukiegeneric.cm - Michelangelo's inspired imagining of the Creation of Adam 

This masterpiece of Renaissance art, at around 40 metres long by 13 metres wide (460 square metres), includes 343 figures with nine central panels depicting the stories of the Old Testament from the Creation to the fall of man. 

The narrative on the ceiling shows God creating the Sun, Moon and Earth, Adam and Eve, the temptation and expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the story of Noah's Ark. 

Enlightening: The Creation of the Sun and Moon

Adjacent to the main panels are massive portraits of Prophets and Sybils who foretold the coming of Jesus. And scattered throughout are cherubs and smaller nude figures. The frescoes (Italian for 'fresh') were created by painting directly onto wet plaster that was applied each day. Michelangelo's use of bright colours ensured that the scenes could be easily viewed from the floor 20 metres below.

Even if people haven't seen the frescoes live, they've certainly seen Michelangelo's imagining of the Creation of Adam - with the finger of God stretched out to give life to Adam - on a mug, a t-shirt or a poster. 

The Downfall of Adam and Eve 

So it is slightly surprising that the Vatican Museums, who administrate the Sistine Chapel, aren't making a bigger deal of the anniversary of this famous artwork. In fact, it's difficult to find any reference at all to the occasion on their website. This could simply be that the Chapel's administrators are trying to protect the artworks from what one Italian critic recently referred to as 'drunken herds', trailing in dust on their shoes and illegally using damaging flash photography. Antonio Paolucci, the director of the Vatican Museums probably wouldn't describe the visitors like that but he did point out that "such a crowd emanates sweat, carbon dioxide and dust", all of which are harmful to the frescoes. The Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world with over 20,000 a day and 4 million visitors annually and the Vatican is probably torn between wanting to protect its precious artwork and the 15 euro admission charge from every visitor.

A portion of the great ceiling painting at the Sistine Chapel 

When Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564) was commissioned in 1508 by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he was already famous as the sculptor of Pieta (1498) and David (1504).

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

He was initially reluctant to accept the commission as he considered himself a sculptor not a painter. But he was eventually persuaded when he was given leeway to deviate from the original assignment to paint the 12 Apostles, allowing him the artistic freedom to create something far more elaborate and time-consuming.

'The Agony and the Ecstasy', a 1961 book by Irving Stone made into a cheesy Hollywood film starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius, depicted the artist lying on his back high up on scaffolding toiling away almost single-handedly. In reality, Michelangelo painted standing and he had a constant stream of assistants to help him with his momentous undertaking. In essence, Michelangelo wasn't much different from contemporary artists like Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons who have an army of assistants to execute their designs. However, no one would dispute the genius of Michelangelo or the masterpiece of his frescoed ceiling half a millenium ago or today. ( ukiegeneric.com )

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Top Ten Real Dangers of Halloween

Top Ten real dangers of Halloween - Straddling the season between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween has been a time of celebration and superstition. The holiday is thought to have originated with the ancient Irish as the Samuin festival (loosely translated as summer's end) and later adopted by the Celts who would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts and spirits.

Halloween has evolved into a more secular event characterized by family friendly activities such as turning homes into spooky houses, hosting neighborhood parties, dances and trick-or-treating.

Today the popularity of celebrating Halloween has brought on an entirely new set of dangers and concerns for parents of young children. Here's how to keep your children safe from burns, falls, poisoning and other threats during Halloween.

Test any costume makeup you plan to use by placing a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it several days in advance. (©iStockphoto.com/Gary Martin)

Safe Treats Or Deadly Treats? 

Razor blades in apples may be more myth than reality; still, parents should warn their children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering. That includes fruit, unwrapped baked items and virtually anything not in its original packaging. This is also a good time to remind children about any allergies or other health issues that may exist.

Look for a warning label and avoid juice that hasn't been pasteurized or otherwise processed. Always ask if you are unsure if a juice product is pasteurized or not. Normally, the juice found in your retail grocer's frozen food section, refrigerated section, on the shelf in boxes, bottles, or cans is pasteurized.

Smaller children are quick to put things in their mouth. It's best to carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or-treaters less than three years of age. Avoid any treats that are small enough to create a choking hazard, or treats including small parts that could separate during use and present a choking hazard.

Make Certain Costumes Are Safe 

Most purchased costumes are relatively safe if manufactured form flame retardant materials. Look for the words "flame resistant" on the label. Check the length of pants and sleeves to make certain they fit properly and will not become tangled as the child moves. Oh, and that draped ghost costume made from an old bed sheet may look cute, but it can cause a nasty spill if the bottom edges become entangled with a child's feet. To guard against trips and falls, costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground. The same caution applies to costume capes and fairy wings.

Costumes that include swords, knives and similar accessories should be made of soft, flexible material. Soft swords and knives help protect kids and their companions from accidental injuries.

Falls are a common occurrence on Halloween. Inappropriate shoes can contribute to the problem. Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized adult shoes or high heels can contribute to a fall.

Dangerous Masks To Avoid 

To remain safe, kids need to be able to see well. If the child's costume includes a mask, make certain it fits securely and provides adequate ventilation. Masks should feature eyeholes large enough to allow full peripheral vision. If not, a small pair of scissors or utility knife can be used to open up or enlarge the eyeholes.

Danger From Cars And Street Traffic 

Small costumed children are particularly vulnerable, in the street, during Halloween. For greater visibility at dusk and night, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that reflects in the beam of a car's headlights. Purchase or make costumes that are light colored, bright and clearly visible to motorists.

Bags or trick-or-treat sacks can also be light-colors or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, building supply centers, bicycle shops and sporting goods stores.

Flashlights may not fit the theme of the costume, but they're important if children are to see and be seen in the dark. A simple spray can of colored paint can make the flashlight part of the costume color theme. This is another chance to be creative. Suggest to the kids a black and white flashlight for skeleton costumes, a black and red flashlight for pirate costumes, or a purple flashlight for fairy and princess costumes.

Dangerous Outdoor Halloween Decorations 

• Homeowners are responsible for the safety of their property. Ensure that flame-lit decorations don't catch on fire, decorations don't fall out of trees that walkways and paths aren't littered with items that can trip kids and other guests. 
• Yard decorations should always be stable and not easily tipped over. Keep decorations several feet back from pathways to avoid excited kids and costumes from becoming entangled.
• Use decorative lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Examine each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets to avoid injuries. 
• Electrical power cords should also be kept away from steps, pathways and standing water. 
• Check overhead Halloween decorations to make certain they remain secure throughout the night and do not fall on unsuspecting kids and adults. 
• Try to not go overboard when it comes to Halloween decorating. This is a good time to go ahead and fix up areas on your property that can be potentially dangerous. 
• Fog machines should be kept away from stairs and steps to avoid causing trips and falls. 
• Strobe lights can create another potential problem for homeowners. The Epilepsy Foundation states the flicker of strobe lights can cause light-induced seizures in children who are photosensitive. Long thought to be the stuff of urban legends, recent tests have shown flashing lights between the frequencies of five to 30 flashes per second are most likely to trigger seizures. In order to be safe, The Epilepsy Foundation recommends that photosensitive children and adults should not be exposed to flashes greater than three per second. If your decorations cause injury it's possible you can be faced with a lawsuit. 

Fire Dangers From Candles 

Halloween is one of the top five days for candle fires. Keep that carved pumpkin from turning into a firebomb. Decorations should be kept away from landings and steps where children's costumes could brush against the pumpkin or flame. In small porch areas consider swapping the candle for a battery-powered light.

Indoor decorations, candles and jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains and other items that could ignite. Never leave burning candles unattended.

Eye Safety

• Masks that obscure eyesight are a continuing problem. Eyeholes should be checked to ensure a large enough area for full peripheral vision. 
• Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing their vision. 
• Don't wear decorative contact lenses unless you have seen an eye care professional and received a proper lens fitting and instructions for using decorative lenses. 
• Vision experts warn that buying any kind of contact lenses without an examination and a prescription from an eye care professional can cause serious eye disorders and infections. Eye infections can lead to permanent vision loss. 
• It's illegal to sell decorative contact lenses without a valid prescription. The FDA says many decorative lenses are sold on the Internet and in retail shops and salons -- particularly around Halloween. These present a very real danger. 

Allergy-Free Halloween Costumes 

Test any costume makeup you plan to use by placing a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it several days in advance. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that's a clear indication of a possible allergy.

Check FDA's list of color additives to see if makeup additives are FDA approved. If they aren't approved for their intended use, don't use it.

Safe Pumpkin Carving

• Use the right tools. One advantage of the pumpkin carving tools is that they can saw through rinds, poke holes and scoop out innards without being razor-sharp. The tools are generally small, which makes them easier for kids to control than knives. 
• Carve the pumpkin before taking off the top. Stabilize the pumpkin by holding the top and pointing the blade down. 
• Take precautions by carving in a clean, dry, and well-lit area. Keep hands and tools clean and dry, and take time to make this a family evening activity. 
• Don't let small kids carve. Have them draw the pattern with a marker and clean out the pulp and seeds with their hands or a spoon -- but make sure an adult does the actual cutting. It's important to supervise older teens, too. Have them use pumpkin carving kits or, if they are responsible enough to use kitchen knives, make certain they use short-handled ones, and that they are kept clean and dry. 

Have a safe and Happy Halloween. ( idealhomegarden.com )

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How to Do Bali in Style

How to Do Bali in Style - When Aussies think of Bali, many will conjure up images of drug smugglers awaiting the death penalty, inhumane prison cells or perhaps the tragic bombings of 2002.

Recent stories hitting our national press of a Central Coast teenager charged over marijuana possession, a Central Coast schoolie electrocuted after touching a nightclub sign in Kuta, and a Perth rugby player killed from methanol poisoning after drinking a concoction called Jungle Juice, have done nothing to improve the Indonesian island's allure Down Under.

Australian holidaymakers make up a mammoth segment of Bali's tourism industry, and the beachy hotspot is well aware of its tough task to convert and entice Aussies gone cold.

Even if you don't think incarceration and danger, you'd be forgiven for being turned off by the images of Kuta as an over-developed tourist trap overrun with teenagers and - we may as well just say it - bogans.

But there is another side of Bali's tourism that the industry is desperate for you to hear about - and we're not talking the island's mountainous interior or the desolate volcanic black-sand beaches in the north (although both sound quite wonderful).

Down in Bali's southern tip known as the tourist mecca, there is a luxury emerging for those who want to experience Bali with indulgence. Just moments from the loud, motorbike-ridden and steamy chaos of Bali's streets, there are some truly remarkable and lavish venues hidden away that offer some of the paradise of this Indonesian island - without the dangers.

Since the 2002 Bali bombings near Kuta nightclubs, which killed 202 people including 88 Australians, security on the island has stepped up a few gears.

You can't enter a western hotel, restaurant, beach club or bar in Bali today without having your car thoroughly checked for explosives and weapons - and while this can feel a little oppressive at times, the extra safety measures are undoubtedly a good thing.

So if you find yourself needing to escape the mayhem into a world of guaranteed safety and exotic decadence, here are some tips on how to spend your trip in style.

ACCOMMODATION

The Oasis Boutique Beach Resort, Benoa

Set in Nusa Dua on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula - far away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta, which is a good 45 minutes away - The Oasis is just that. Built in wood and stone, the quiet and airy U-shaped hotel is set among tranquil tropical gardens and surrounds a 70-metre freshwater pool. The poolside Terrace Restaurant serves up delightful Balinese cuisine.

Nusa Dusa is known for its deep, long and safe beaches, and one of them backs onto the hotel's grounds. There are a variety of watersports on offer, including banana boating, parasailing and jet-skiing, but if you're more into land-based pursuits, the most popular golf course in Bali is not far away.

One downside of all this tranquillity is that Nusa Dua can feel slightly artificial and sanitised and very un-Balinese. Still, it's the perfect retreat for honeymooners.

Rooms start from $A180 per night. Visit www.theoasisbenoa.com

BEACH CLUB

Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak

Since the club opened its doors in 2010, Potato Head has become one of the island's most prestigious venues and is also listed on the World's Best Bars website. It is an arty space (the exterior wall is a beautiful hotchpotch of battered wooden shutters) set right on the beach, but this appears little used by the punters, who instead sit languidly on underwater bar stools in the stunning tranquillity pool, loll on communal sun loungers or sip cocktails in the poolside bar. The food is delightful, too.

Entry to the beach club pool is free, but food and drinks are not cheap. Visit www.ptthead.com.

SUNSET COCKTAILS

KuDeTa, Seminyak

This is another superb spot for dinner and cocktails - and was the sunset spot to be seen at before Potato Head popped up. It's still as popular as ever, though, and it's easy to see why. KuDeTa is another stunning expanse of sun loungers overlooking the ocean. Later on the vibe heats up and the venue is known for attracting some big-name international DJs.

Visit http://kudeta.net.

DINNER

Made's Warung, Seminyak

Established in 1969, Made's has become a Seminyak institution for locals, tourists and ex-pats alike. With its dark Balinese floor tiles, slender pillars supporting a high, woven ceiling and soft glow of lanterns, this restaurant is large but cosy. You can sample simple yet delicious Balinese fare here - try the "gado gado" (vegetable salad with peanut sauce) or the "nasi campur" (chicken, tofu, peanut and soya beans with rice). But, unfortunately, like most restaurants in Bali, there are no designated smoke-free zones.

Visit www.mades-warung.com

LATE NIGHT BAR

Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort and Spa, Jimbaran Bay

The minimalist design of this bar makes perfect use of the rocks on which it sits, just metres above the ocean at the base of towering cliffs. From the hotel you have to take a lift down to the bar, for which there is often a sizeable queue. But the wait is worth it; the location is stunning, and the bar has lots of cosy, private enclaves to share sunset cocktails with a loved one or enjoy a private late night party. Like many other exclusive bars in Bali though, you could be forgiven for forgetting you are in Indonesia. ( AAP )

READ MORE - How to Do Bali in Style

I wouldn't drink that if I were you! 3,000-year-old bottles of wine expected to fetch £2m at auction

I wouldn't drink that if I were you! 3,000-year-old bottles of wine expected to fetch £2m at auction - They say fine wine improves with age, but 3,000 years may be pushing it a little.

Although it certainly isn't hurting the value of two ancient bottles which have been valued at a staggering £2million.

The Chinese bronze containers of the aging tipple were acquired by two Jewish brothers who fled Poland at the start of World War Two, with one of them seeking sanctuary in Shanghai.

What a corker! The 3,000-year-old Chinese bronze containers of the aging tipple were acquired by two Jewish brothers who fled Poland at the start of World War Two, with one of them seeking sanctuary in Shanghai

Having been exposed to the Chinese culture, he was re-united with his brother after the war and the pair started delving into the oriental art market.

The brothers realised the importance of the ritual vessels when they came onto the market in the 1960s and paid £1,000 each for them.

They have since been passed down to the granddaughter of one of the men, known only as Mr J Goldstein.

She has now made them available for sale at auction in London, a move that has stunned the art world as their existance has been largely unknown of because they have been in the family’s private collection for decades.

They are being tipped to sell for a whopping £1million and £800,000 respectively.
One of them, a rectangular fangyi vessel, dates back to the Chinese Shang dynasty between 1300 to 1050BC

It is exquisitely decorated, indicating it was a special object associated with the ruling class of the society and experts have described the quality as ‘quite exceptional’.

It has an inscription on it that is translated into ‘Prince Shu is at Zhi to make a sacrificial vessel for the cultured ancestor Father Yi’.

An identical inscription is cast on a jue goblet at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco which would suggest the two pieces once formed part of the same set that was unearthed before 1850.

The second bronze vessel dates back to the early Western Zhou dynasty between 1050 to 900BC.

Expensive tipple: The ancient wine casks are being tipped to sell for a whopping £1million and £800,000 respectively. One of them, a rectangular fangyi vessel, dates back to the Chinese Shang dynasty between 1300 to 1050BC

It features masks, dragons and a rim of silkworms, horned mythical beasts and birds.

It is thought this had been taken out of China in the 1920s or 1930s by western missionary families.

They were bought in Canada, where the family lives, and are both being sold by auctioneers Bonhams.

Asaph Hyman, senior specialist in Chinese art at Bonhams, said: 'These two remarkable bronze pieces were among those collected by Mr J. Goldstein who emigrated in the from Poland to Canada.

'His younger brother fled Poland in 1939, was temporarily imprisoned in Siberia, but ended up in Shanghai where he lived until the end of the war.

'In Shanghai he was exposed to the Chinese culture.

'His survival, due to the goodness of the Chinese, influenced his openness to Chinese culture and could very well have been the root of his interest in Chinese art.

'After the war, members of the family were brought by Mr Goldstein to Canada, including his younger brother who brought with him his interest in Chinese art and that rubbed off on his sibling.

'With the creation of the rail roads in China in the 19th century, many archaeological sites were excavated and that’s how many of these pieces came to light.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Ready, steady, I do

Ready, steady, I do - Don't rush into a marriage. Here are a few points to mull over before you take that big plunge

While you may be impatiently waiting to settle down with the person of your dreams, don't rush in without thinking things through. Here are a few factors you should consider before taking the final call so you don't look back at your life with regret. It is critical to be mentally prepared to share your life. Family counselor and therapist Prerna Shah lists a few essentials you should assess before popping the question.

Numbers matter

Don't belittle the importance of numbers, be it your age, or your combined gross salaries. Research shows, one should ideally be at least 26 years old before they get married, since by then they are mature enough to handle situations and understand the demands of a marriage. The initial head rush of being in love will tide you through the first few months of marriage. The real grime comes into effect later and you'll have to reach in for more patience and understanding than you've ever had to in your adult life.

Important factors such as how the financials of your little start-up family will work, need to be ironed out beforehand. If you feel like you'll need your spouse to chip into the kitty, you'll need to make sure you're both in the right jobs with the right scope for growth to make it work.

Ready for it: If you are headed into your 30s or already in it, with your education taken care of and you and your girlfriend together make for a happy financial sum, you're good to go.

The connect

Just like individuals have different personalities, they also have varying attachment styles. A lot of it can be traced back to your relationship with your parents and family. While some have a very strong familial bond with secure attachments, some struggle with anxious-preoccupied or dismissive and avoidant associations. Those who are secure tend to choose similar partners, making for a smooth relationship. Those who struggle emotional baggage and childhood issues however, need toresolve them before they venture into new relationships. Don't carry unnecessary baggage into a marriage.

Ready for it : If most of your adult relationships were marred by jealousy or insecurity, seek help and counseling before making a life-long commitment. With an understanding partner most issues can be sorted.

The value chain

It is crucial to figure out why exactly it is that you want to get married. If your reasons revolve around age, compatibility, external pressure and the convenience of marriage, maybe you should give it more time.

While most couples may also toy with the idea of living in with each other prior to marriage, it is not necessarily a good test of your relationship and how successful it will be.

Also, try and understand your partner's ideas on religion, child care, families etc to be on the same page.

Considering the current divorce rates, it is critical to analyse if the institution of marriage means the same to you as it does to your partner.

Ready for it : If you are able to peacefully reach a common ground on things you may or may not agree with. You are able to recognise the positive and work on resolving the negatives.

Personality traits

Be very careful while you assess the compatibility of your personalities. You'll need someone who understands your personality and can let you be without trying to change you. Obsessive or neurotic people tend to harbor feelings of anger and hostility and are also more prone to depression and anxiety. If either you or your partner is battling with these issues, it's best to sort them out with therapy before you move ahead.

Ready for it : If you can be patient and understanding with your partner and be sure to give them space and encouragement.

Relationship-wise

Maintaining a strong bond between yourself and your partner will require effort if you want your marriage to be successful. You'll need to share power and maintain an equal equation in the household.

Maintaining a long-term relationship requires compromise, which includes family decisions to finances, to handling in-laws and children and even domestic chores.

Ready for it : If you can understand that a relationship is a work in progress. Ensure that you and your partner can enjoy and have fun together. ( indiatimes.com )

READ MORE - Ready, steady, I do

The kids are cooking

The kids are cooking - Since the tender age of four, third grader Najya Indra loves hanging out in the kitchen and helping her mother cook.

The eight-year-old can now prepare a classic nasi goreng (fried rice), fried tempeh and spaghetti.

Taking her food and cooking seriously, she said she helped the maid employed at her house prepare food daily. Good practice for the aspiring chef.

Cooking is often considered an adult activity as it involves sharp knives and burning stoves. Cooking techniques can be complex, but above all, require creativity and passion. Despite all this, many children enjoy cooking. And with the right supervision and guidance, they can excel at it.

Know your fruit: One of the presenters of Koki Cilik about to sow a ripe pumpkin

TV personality chef Farah Quinn said cooking, for children, was like any other activity. “Some children are good in sports, some are good in music; and some are good at cooking,” she went on.

“When you see your children are talented in the kitchen, you should support and help them develop that skill,” she said in a telephone interview.

Over the past few years, television cooking shows have popularized cooking and made it a fun activity for children. Famous British chef Jamie Oliver encourages kids in one of his TV shows to learn how to cook so they can eat more healthily. Those subscribing to cable television will find Australia’s Junior Masterchef an endearing cooking competition for young chefs.

Local TV stations also have their own cooking shows for children, like Koki Kecil on DAAI TV Koki Cilik on Trans7 — both translating as Little Chef. In Koki Cilik, the little chefs travel across Indonesia to learn about local food and try various recipes.

Koki Cilik producer Muhammad Asri Rasma said children and parents both enjoyed watching the show.

“The basic idea is to introduce good food to children; to show children that cooking is not that difficult; and to promote the nation’s culinary dishes to children,” Asri said recently at a café in Trans Corp.’s building.

“We want children to know about healthy foods and not eat junk food all the time,” he said.

Koki Cilik is aired five days a week, highlighting that anything dealing with food here is always going
to be popular.

Through cooking, Asri said children could also learn about different delicacies from across the archipelago. They could also learn about different cultures and even different stove types.

“We once did a story about stoves made of clay in Ternate,” he said. Asri recalled the little chefs also tagging along with fishermen, watching how they caught fish and how locals prepared it.

For Asri, producing a children’s cooking show has also expanded his knowledge of food. “I now know which food items are nutritious, which ones are bad and have lots of fat and cholesterol,” he said. His show has a segment informing children about nutrition.

Twelve-year-old Ardhia Pramesti Regita Larasati, one of the seven little chefs in Koki Cilik, said her cooking skills had greatly improved as a result of being involved in the show.

“I already knew how to cook but after being one of the little chefs I became a lot better at it,” she said. Laras, as she’s popularly called, has now been in the show for 10 months.

She loves the fact that cooking allows her to be creative.

“We can create our own dishes. We can add a little bit of this and that to our food. We can adjust our cooking,” she said.

Another aspect she enjoys about cooking is learning about different spices. She loves tauco — soy paste — which she once mixed in an omelette.

Laras practices the recipes presented on the Koki Cilik show at home. “My mom, friends and neighbors will taste the dishes.”

Her job at Koki Cilik has given her the chance to see Flores, Ambon, Manado, Padang, Lombok, Sumbawa and Pekanbaru..

Psychologist Rose Mini said children liked to cook because they enjoyed having a go at activities they saw adults partake in.

“This helps boost their confidence,” she said, adding this was beneficial for their intrapersonal
development.

Cooking also helps develop children’s intelligence and coordination, as they learn how to follow recipes and use their hands while manipulating food.

Cooperating with their siblings or friends while cooking also develops their interpersonal skills. All this, she said, makes cooking a great activity to help children develop in a holistic way.

Najya, who has been living in Bandung for the last two years, said she became interested in cooking by watching her mother cook. Cooking, she said, brings her happiness.

For Najya, the more complex the food preparation, the better. One of her favorite recipes at the moment is sayur asem, a tamarind-based vegetable soup.

Too much flour?: Koki cilik presenter Ardhia Pramesti Regita Larasati on the set with music band Kuburan.“There so many spices in sayur asem,” she said.

But before reaching Najya’s level, Farah said children who were just starting to cook should be given simple recipes.

“Keep it simple. Don’t choose recipes that take a lot of time and require a lot of chopping,” she said.

Farah’s first attempt at cooking when she was a child was to bake cookies, which allowed her to play with flour, sugar and eggs.

Farah explained it was good to introduce cooking to children at a young age as long as parents or guardians made sure it was safe. Parents or guardians need to ensure their children are tall enough to reach the stove before allowing them to use it themselves.

“If you work near fire and if the child’s not tall enough, hot things can spill. So keep in mind your children’s height,” she said.

A four-year-old can be taught to stir egg yolks or play with flour, she went on.

“But until they can really master cooking, they should always be supervised, because safety comes first,” she said. ( thejakartapost.com )

READ MORE - The kids are cooking