Teaching children to cook is a time consuming, and sometimes frustrating task to complete, however it is a valuable life skill for more reasons than one.
Cooking is fun and an opportunity for connections and so many other developmental benefits. Read on to learn more...
Teaching children to cook is a time consuming, and sometimes frustrating task to complete, however it is a valuable life skill for more reasons than one.
Learning to cook is not only about handling the food, but also involves reading the recipe, following the method and instructions, measuring the ingredients, elements of basic safety, setting the table and cleaning up the kitchen. The earlier you can teach your child to cook, the sooner you will observe their skills developing, not only in the kitchen but in their everyday routine.
From 18 months of age, your child is more than capable to help in the kitchen in some way, learning the use of basic items such as cutlery, and typically having the ability to follow simple directions. You may start them with simple tasks such as washing the vegetables, handing you different items as you need them, or helping to set the table.
As your child gets older, you can expect their capabilities to increase. There are many safety concerns associated with cooking however you should use these as an opportunity to increase your child's safety awareness as you introduce them into the kitchen. Possible hazards include the flames or hot stove, the hot oven, hot pots/pans, knives, or the use of electrical appliances.
It is beneficial to discuss with your child potential hazardous situations and what they would do, for example if water were to spill on the floor. Before you give your child a job, set them up for success by explaining the hazards and safety measures to be used. Consider what they are able to do physically and their level of comprehension and give them a task to match their capabilities. This will also increase their motivation to help in the future.
The time and effort spent on teaching your child to cook will not go unnoticed. Measuring the ingredients will give your child the opportunity to develop their skills in math, their reading skills will increase as you read the recipe together, they will learn to persist and complete a task, there will be positive differences in their attention, concentration, and ability to follow instructions.
Cooking can be used as a heavy work activity, for regulation, as your child prepares mashed potato, chops different vegetables, or carries the ingredients from the pantry.
Teaching your child to cook will also promote healthy eating. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour produced evidence that teenagers with adequate cooking skills were more likely to have better nutrition throughout their life.
What ideas can you come up with to make together?
Colin Campbell Centre for Nutrition Studies 2017, Cooking at every age, Why kids should learn to cook, <https://nutritionstudies.org/cooking-at-every-age-why-kids-should-learn-to-cook/>.
Raising Children Network 2006-2019, Cooking with kids and teenagers, <https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/family-life/family-meals-cooking/cooking-with-kids-teens>.
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour 2018, Self-perceived cooking skills in emerging adulthood predict better dietary behaviours and intake 10 years later: A longitudinal study, <https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(18)30086-1/fulltext>.
Developmental Milestones, <https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/signs-symptoms/developmental-milestones>.