Tips for Teaching Children How To Cook

Cooking in the kitchen with kids may end up with misshapen cookies or broken dishes. There are wonderful teachable moments regarding cooking in a healthy manner, trying new dishes and developing lifelong independent living skills. Many memorable moments can be created in the kitchen.

While parents spend a lot of time teaching very young children the stove is hot and knives cut, working with your children in the kitchen can be fun as you explore various ingredients. Trying out a new spice can introduce your child to a dish unique to a specific country. You can provide interesting information about that country. Your young cooks need to know the difference between plain and self-rising flour, granulated, brown and confectioners sugar, baking powder and baking soda. They need to know when to use each item and why. What difference does it make? They will soon find out. Cleaning up properly is a must teach skill.

Young children can help snap beans, tear lettuce leaves and even peel carrots and potatoes. Upper elementary and middle school children can learn to cut vegetables on a cutting board and how to use a knife safely. When working with your children in the kitchen, it is best to start out with simple recipes. They can read the list of ingredients and learn to follow directions. Learning to measure fluids and dry ingredients accurately is important. Children learn to work with fractions. Food can be very motivating. You should be patient with your children and praise them for their efforts. You can teach them how to make simple foods in the microwave and on the griddle. Older cooks can learn all about steaming vegetables versus boiling them. You will be making more than meals or snacks in the kitchen. You'll be making memories.