Many parents shy away from allowing their children to help in the kitchen, fearing mess and disruption, but cooking with your children can be a great experience at any age. Not only will you create bonding moments and great memories, you will also have the opportunity to teach many different lessons and life skills.
Young Ones
Children that are too young to go to school will love feeling like a "big kid" by helping mom or dad in the kitchen. Be sure to choose a recipe that will spark their interest; cookies are kid-friendly and can be wrapped up to be delivered to a neighbor or a loved one for an added bonus lesson in kindness. Of course, be sure to leave some cookies at home for your child to enjoy! If you are cooking something more complicated, involve your small child by allowing them to measure, pour, arrange, and mix ingredients for you. Soon, they will be eager to help cook every meal.
Pre-teens and Tweens
Elementary school-aged children can learn from cooking in many different areas. Baking can help a child who is struggling with fractions place a real world application to the issue, while a child with an interest in science is sure to enjoy watching the dough rise while baking bread. Allowing a child this age to read the recipe for themselves will help to teach about following written directions. A child this age also benefits from learning basic nutrition facts which will help them to create healthy food habits later in life.
Teenagers
Teenage years can be a tricky time for a parent to connect with their child, but the kitchen can be a bonding location during these difficult years. Middle and high school students can learn about nutrition and responsibility by helping to cook meals. Spaghetti, casseroles, and other simple dishes are great ways to help your child gain confidence in the kitchen. Practicing basic grilling techniques can be a good way of connecting with your teenage boy. If you involve your child in the meal preparation as well, you will have the opportunity to teach them about meal planning, budgeting, and basic shopping tips.
The kitchen is a great place to interact with your children. No matter what their age, your child can help cook and you can help them set a firm foundation for healthy food choices for the rest of their life. The kitchen can be a location for memories to be made, food to be enjoyed and shared, and fun to be had by all. If you are looking for a way to bond with your child, look no further than your own kitchen.
