The Importance of Cooking With Kids
There are many benefits to teaching your child how to cook at a young age. Learning is an important life skill, but cooking teaches them many other confidence-boosting skills such as how to properly use a knife, how to follow a recipe and understand measurements, and how nutrition works. It can also expand their palate and make them more likely to try new foods. Most of all, cooking with your kid is a way to enjoy quality time as a family.
Concerns Around Kids in the Kitchen
With all of these benefits why are cooking courses not traditionally taught in schools? This is mainly because of concerns around kitchen safety. Potential hazards in the kitchen include:
- Sharp knives
- Heat from an oven
- Oil potentially splashing from a pan on a stove
These are all extremely valid concerns. However, your kids have to cook for themselves eventually. If you keep them out of the kitchen, they may struggle and encounter more danger when they try cooking after they move out. Teaching kids proper kitchen safety and supervising them from a young age is a better way to help them avoid future danger and injury. When they learn these techniques young, they are more equipped to deal with any cooking mishaps when they are grown. Some may develop an interest to become a chef or nutritionist.
Teaching Appreciation for Food With Cooking
Instead of letting your kids watch TV or play video games for hours on end, get them involved in the kitchen to teach them about the time and effort cooking requires. It is not an easy for parents to prepare delicious and nutritious meals for their families every day. If your kids help out, they will better appreciate the food on their table. They’ll also feel proud when the whole family eats something they helped make.
Having your child cook also teaches them the value of learning about different ingredients and food cultures. They can learn about where ingredients come from, the flavors of different cuisines, and more.
It is important to think about how to make cooking safe for your child while adjusting your approach as they progress skill-wise and grow older. If they are starting young, maybe have them stir and mix ingredients as appropriate. When they are older, you can introduce measuring liquids and chopping vegetables with supervision. Giving your child age-appropriate tasks will help them feel more comfortable until they are ready to work with the oven or stove. You know your child best and as long as you are around to supervise, they will be safe.
Conclusion
Although cooking with kids can get pretty messy, with a little bit of patience, it can be a fun and educational activity for them. From learning various skills to persevering through failed attempts, cooking is a great way for your children to build character. Soon, they may be making their own lunches for school!
At Green Schools Green Future, our mission is to build green schools for sustainable education. Part of our curriculum is having an open kitchen and spaces for them to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs in eco-friendly ways. Our students will experience green living and become self-sustaining individuals with healthy lifestyles.
Sources:
The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes that You’ll Love to Cook and Eat
https://kidscookrealfood.com/kidsmealrevolution/?cookieUUID=da86e106-76d3-46b2-8b91-5990205c1eee
https://www.thespruceeats.com/reasons-to-teach-kids-to-cook-2098274
https://nutritionstudies.org/cooking-at-every-age-why-kids-should-learn-to-cook/
