Cooking with Kids

I think all parents have realized that kids will help cook anything. All kids of all ages love helping mom or dad with meal preparation. From the simplest tasks such as tearing lettuce to cooking a meal themselves, nothing delights a child more than cooking.

 Cooking food that tastes good and is healthy is a life skill all children should have. So many kids grow up not knowing how to plan a meal or prepare one. By the time your child is 3 years old, he can begin to learn the basics of preparing food. Cookies are always a favorite. Try new recipes that do not require cooking. Choose foods that your child can start and complete easily. Encourage your child to help clean up when you are finished.

 When I prepare meals for my family, my children love to come and watch. I explain what I am doing and why it is important to do it a certain way. With enough repetition and practice, my hope is that my children will be able to prepare delicious meals for themselves and for their families when they are living in their own households.

 Cooking not only teaches children the obvious, but they also learn reading skills, language, hand-eye coordination, math, science, and about other cultures. When you child is old enough to read, let them have control of the recipe card. This will help them understand the terms and components of a recipe. You might want to get one or two cookbooks for children, but it is not necessary.

 Be sure to use caution around the stove and and when using knives. Adult supervision should always be required until your child is old enough to be adept at all cooking skills.