Let’s Cook Together!

Involving kids in the kitchen is a fantastic way to build confidence, teach life skills, work on language development (and other educational skills), and encourage kids to try new things. The best part about cooking with kids is that it is fun! Plus, you get to reap the benefits of your labor in the end with yummy and exciting food. Using the I do, we do, you do model of learning in the kitchen allows kids to watch first, help next, and then independently do it on their own.

Hands on learning leads to retaining information.

Modeling what to do and then supporting until needed is the key to instilling confidence and independence in new tasks. For example, I dump in a cup of flour, we dump in a cup of flour, your child dumps in a cup of sugar. Celebrate that accomplishment. “You did it! Thank you for helping. These cookies will be so delicious. You should be proud of yourself! Let’s finish up.”

Cooking activities are language rich.

While crafting a recipe, the opportunity for labeling new vocabulary will present itself. There will be opportunities for questions. Sequencing is a requirement for following a recipe and once all is said and done recall can be worked on by having your child tell someone else about what they did. “First we measured the ingredients, then we mixed them all together, next we put the batter in the pan, then we let it bake, now we get to eat them!” Imagine the excitement in sharing this BIG thing they helped accomplish.

Along with language, motor skills and math skills are a part of cooking. The science of what happens to the ingredients can be interesting to learn about for older kids. The learning possibilities are huge. When children engage in the cooking process, it may not immediately yield a new love of a food they may not have loved in the past, but it many times will lead to trying new things. The ownership of creating something from many parts often instills a desire to enjoy what they have created. While this may not be the case for every child, it is for many and overall, the joy and pride of having created something for others to enjoy will still exist, even if they do not love it themselves.

Learning to cook is a lifelong skill that is necessary for everyone to learn.

The earlier you begin teaching that the more confident and able your child will be when they are a teen and adult. Becoming a confident cook takes time and beginning when your child is young with simple recipes is the place to start. I would encourage you to start small, no bake treats like dirt pudding or graham cracker craft recipes are a good place to start. A simple rice cereal treat recipe that can be done using the microwave to melt ingredients may be a step up. Then consider simple lunch or dinner recipes like quesadillas or a casserole as well as fun desserts like cookies or quick bread. When thinking about activities in the kitchen, the possibilities never cease.

Have fun and happy eating!

Written by:  Cassandra A. Thomas, MA-CCC-SLP