As a child, do you have fond memories of helping your parents bake cookies? Small activities like mixing cake batter and measuring ingredients help children learn the skills of counting, reading, time management, etc. Moreover, cooking allows kids to develop confidence and become responsible.
The time you spend teaching your child the art of cooking is time well-spent. It gives you quiet moments and memories with your little one. It also imparts the wisdom of other cultures as children learn about various cuisines and food habits. They learn about the nutritional value of different ingredients and make conscious choices about what they eat.
So, even if your child is too young, make sure they learn to cook. Here are a few benefits that highlight the need for every child to learn to cook.
- Physical Development: When kids learn to spread, squeeze, chop and mix, they develop fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills.
- Social-Emotional Development: Children develop skills and confidence with hands-on cooking activities. As they read and follow recipes, they become independent and self-directed. They also learn how to follow instructions and develop problem-solving skills.
- Language Development: Cooking gives kids the chance to sharpen language skills since there is a link between cooking and all other core subjects like science, mathematics, arts, social studies, and literacy. Children tend to talk about the activities they perform in the kitchen. These include counting, reading recipes, and watching materials change form, color, and texture.
- Cognitive Development: When children learn to cook, they improve their creativity, problem-solving, and thinking skills. They also put their knowledge to practical use by measuring, counting, and following directions.
Cooking Classes in Schools
Schools are responsible for teaching students various skills at an early age. If they incorporate cooking into the academic curriculum, students can benefit significantly. Cooking helps children develop excellent kitchen skills and enables them to prepare healthy meals for themselves. As a result, their dependency and fondness for processed, readymade, and junk food reduces. They appreciate the value of freshly cooked food and learn about the health benefits of the wholesome foods available to them.
Before you plan cooking classes, here are some tips that ensure a positive experience of cooking with kids:
- Safety
The level of supervision needed in the cooking classes depends on the age and maturity of the kids. Give more attention when cutting and using the oven or cooktop. Teens do not require as much supervision as younger children. However, remaining safe is of crucial importance.
- Planning
Think of the recipes you want the child to learn to cook. If there is a class of 30 students and you have only one blender, picking a smoothie recipe is not a good idea. Arrange for all the tools and supplies. Make sure the recipe is a healthy choice. It should be hands-on and developmentally appropriate. Prepare a list of ingredients you require and get them from the grocery store. The ingredients should be affordable for all families.
- Setting up
The cooking area and the jobs you assign must be well thought out. Assign jobs that are enjoyable and match the kids’ skill level. The cooking area must fit the requirements. If the cooktop or microwave is at a height, you may need to bring a step stool.
Kids learn more about eating right when they enter the kitchen and get involved in preparing healthy meals. So, make sure your child is learning to cook at school and at home.
FAQs
- Why should every child learn to cook?
One of the best ways to make children eat healthily is to encourage them to learn to cook. When they learn cooking techniques and procedures, they learn about nutrition and which ingredients and meals are healthy. Moreover, they become independent and do not have to wait for someone to cook or order food for them.
- What are some cooking activities for preschoolers?
Some kitchen tasks are suitable for kids aged between 3 and 5 years. Initially, your child will have the patience to complete a five to 10 minutes activity. Start with small activities like adding ingredients, tearing lettuce for a salad, stirring pancake batter, assembling a pizza, and turning the cookbook pages to help you read.
- When is it the right time to teach my child to cook?
A child can start learning to cook as early as 18 months or two years old. You will need to assess the child’s maturity to decide which cooking procedures and skills to teach first. Supervision is of crucial importance. A two-year-old can learn to use a butter knife, mashed potatoes and bananas, mix cake batter, and clean spills.
- Why is it important to teach children cooking?
Cooking is a valuable life skill. It teaches children about food safety and nutrition. Moreover, it helps them sharpen math, science, literacy, and fine motor skills. Kids practice counting, measuring, weighing, and tracking time while cooking. They also explore laboratory processes like heating, freezing, mixing, and blending.
