Teaching your Children to Cook

Teaching your children to cook seems to be a lost art these days. With busy schedules and moms working outside the home cooking lessons are being ignored. However, there are many reasons for teaching our kids to cook. It’s healthier and less expensive than eating out and helps them become independent.

The first step is letting your child pick out a recipe. When that’s decided, make a list of the ingredients and take them shopping if you need to get anything. Small children enjoy baking cakes and cookies and other goodies. They can stir the ingredients and help put things away. Take the opportunity to teach your children about safety issues like don’t touch a hot stove or use a sharp knife etc. You could also get them a chef’s hat and they’ll really enjoy it.

Older children can plan whole meals, make shopping lists and cook the meal. It’s important that they know how to prepare a balanced meal. A balanced meal includes protein, vegetables and fruit. Cleanliness while handling food is another important lesson especially when you are handling meat. Teach your children how to use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly.

By teaching your children to cook you are passing on a tradition that’s been going on for thousands of years and helping prepare them for adulthood. You are also spending valuable time bonding with your child and making precious memories that will last a lifetime.