As both a mom of two and an award-winning design professor, I’ve spent years thinking about how we design spaces that empower kids—not just to play, but to participate in real life. Montessori families have long known that children thrive when they’re trusted with real responsibility. But in many modern homes, the kitchen—a space full of opportunity for learning—is still off-limits. Research also shows that having kids participate in cooking is one of the most proven ways to combat childhood obesity and picky eating.  Here are three simple shifts parents and educators can make to turn the kitchen into a space that builds confidence and independence: 1. Keep key tools within reach.…