Life skills are important for kids to learn, and teaching kids to cook ranks high on priority!
One of the main reasons I decided to homeschool my kids was because I knew that I could customize school to their needs better than public school.
As a homeschooled child, I wanted my kids to have the same advantages as I did because I learned many life skills.
I want my kids to be as prepared as possible to live their best lives!
Why Is Teaching Kids To Cook Important?
I know it could be a daunting thought
Cooking is hard and messy enough without having little hands in the mix
All parts of cooking take time and patience
So it’s important to start teaching kids to cook when you have some extra time with your kids
According to TheWashingtonPost, “only 31 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds felt confident in the kitchen”.
In addition to just needing to know how to cook…
Cooking encourages skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration
Cooking can you use to encourage learning and all the subjects as well
You can ask questions like:
- “Where does our food come from?”
- “What is the history of this recipe?”
- “How many cups of flour do we need?”
- “Can you read The Next Step?”
- and more
Cooking can be used to practice all the concepts that they are learning in school and then practice in a new way
It is one of the best ways to motivate a child to learn!
Cooking can help with lots of math concepts…
Like measuring ingredients, scaling recipes up or down, or using dimensions
Cooking it be used for science
There are many times when you have to do things just the right way, or the recipe doesn’t work
He can play with the concept that oil and water don’t usually mix
But they could be put together if you add a little oil at a time
Cooking can also help kids create resilience because failed recipes are going to happen.
And recipes can always be improved.
Cooking is also great for confidence as they take lead:
- In making their snacks,
- Preparing their lunch,
- And participating in family dinners.
Cooking also encourages kids to try foods they may not try otherwise.
Parents report that kids are so excited about a new ingredient that they are more willing to try it when the meal is ready.
The memories are amazing in the kitchen as well.
I cooked and baked with my grandma every time I visited her as a child.
And those are some of my fondest memories.
Teaching kids to cook can help kids practice concepts in most areas of life!
When Should I Start Teaching Kids To Cook?
When you should start teaching kids to cook is up to you.
You can start now!
If your child is very little, then just give them cooking utensils to play with while you cook.
If they are toddlers, mixing and pouring can be great.
Just cooking where they can see you and get them involved if they want to is a huge step!
This doesn’t have to be forced or stressful
Kids will naturally be curious and want to do what you are doing.
Extra Tips For Teaching Kids To Cook
When you are cooking with your children, there are a few things to remember.
- Remember that every recipe will take longer with kids, so make sure to account for that extra time.
- Kids get distracted easily, so do your best to keep them on task.
- Talk to them about expectations in the kitchen before getting started.
- Encourage creativity. Learning to read recipes is important, but so is creativity and fun! Have a good mix.
- Break longer recipes into smaller parts. If you are going to make a pie, then start with making the dough together. Then work on the next part later.
- Think at their level. What do you need to do in the kitchen so they are comfortable while helping you cook?
- Make sure that you and your children use aprons.
- Make sure to wash hands regularly and that it is easy for children to reach the sink.
- Teach putting away leftovers and cleaning up as part of the process.
- Remember there is a difference between instructing and hands-on learning. If possible, have your kids do it on their own while you step back and observe! This is great problem-solving practice!
- Learn, practice, and teach safely rules.
- Use cooking to teach or practice school concepts.
- Get kids involved in planning and shopping for the recipes too!
- Have fun!
The possibilities with cooking are endless!
Listen to the interests of your children and make it as fun as possible!
It will be messy, but make cleaning up part of the process!
Skills To Teach Kids Under 3 Years Old
When teaching kids to cook under three years old, the main goal is just to get them used to the tools and environment.
Most kids at this age won’t be doing anything crazy, but can still learn!
They will be learning:
- sensory play (touching, tasting, seeing the ingredients)
- washing produce
- Washing hands
- Playing with utensils
- Watching
- Listening to you talk about what you are doing
This is a great time to introduce kids to cooking!
Skills To Teach Kids 3-5 Years Old
At 3-5 years old, kids are starting to follow directions a little better and communicate.
So the skills they learn in the kitchen can get a little harder!
They may be able to learn:
- Beginning knife skills (using toddler knives!)
- Open face recipes
- Smoothies (my kids like to pour into the blender and push the button!)
- Baking basics
- Setting and clearing the table
- Stirring ingredients
- Food presentation (make the plate look pretty!)
Remember that you know your kids best!
If you don’t think your child is ready, or you think they are ready, then trust your gut!
These are just ideas for what you can do together
Skills To Teach Kids 6-8
At 6-8 years old, children should be able to follow directions better than they did before.
So this means that concepts that were dangerous before may be ok to introduce
If things like the stove are still scary for you, then you can get mini griddles. These could be a safer option for cooking with your kids
Here are some ideas on what you can teach this age:
- start introducing heat
- cooking safety
- take over lunch meals
- good presentation
- Meal planning
- Shopping on a budget
- Or any of the skills from previous ages
Cooking can be an amazing bonding time with your children.
While getting healthier as a family!
Keep in mind that starting at an older age may be harder to get started.
If your kids are not happy with the idea of cooking, start with recipes that get them excited.
If they want a specific meal or dessert, then have them get involved in making it!
Encourage every positive step towards getting involved in the kitchen
And avoid any comments they may unintentionally discourage them in the future.
If we can make cooking enjoyable, then teaching kids to cook is a good time for everyone involved!
Recipe Ideas To Make With Your Child
There are many places to find recipes!
Helping kids find recipes to make is part of teaching kids to cook!
Pinterest is one of my favorite places to find new recipes to make.
You can get an empty recipe book for your family and fill it with recipes that you try and like.
That way you don’t have to research every time, and your kids are involved in deciding what recipes are in the book!
To get you started, here are some recipe ideas to choose from!
- Toast and scrambled eggs
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- Smoothies
- Cookies
- Tomato soup
- Waffles
- Homemade butter and toast
Want 5 free recipes that I make with my kids?
Get my free mini recipe book!
It contains 5 of the favorite recipes in my house!
