Healthy skills and habits children learn by cookingExplore their senses. Working in the kitchen gives children and teens an opportunity to gain a sense of accomplishment. Basic math, science, and language skills. Learning to cook is as relevant now as it ever was, and buying, planning and cooking meals will save you a lot of money for a year, not to mention the health benefits of fresh food cooked at home for your family.
The first skill we learn is budgeting, so we make a list of what we need to buy and set a limit to stay within budget. Learning to cook will help you understand the cultures, customs and flavors of the world. You'll also learn life skills, such as eating healthy, budgeting your money, and cleaning the house. Cooking costs less than eating in restaurants, fast food establishments, and school canteens.
The kitchen teaches children to take care of themselves and others. It teaches good nutrition, food preparation, working together as a team in the kitchen or working individually following instructions to achieve something. It can also create a relaxed and safe place for children to talk to family, friends, or parents about life's challenges, concerns, and accomplishments. I recommend splitting this into two days.
Cooking should be fun, not overwhelming and stressful, so dedicate the first day to the team and the second day to the ingredients. Collaborate with your child to make kitchen configuration decisions. This will help your child stay focused and know how interested you are in learning to cook. This is where all the time you spent preparing the kitchen will pay off.
First, focus on gathering the ingredients and putting them on the counter. Then, focus on assembling the equipment and putting it on the counter. This is a good time to observe if organizational changes are needed in your kitchen setup, but for now stay focused on the recipe. Later, with your child, you can address any measures that have been difficult for you and look for ways to change them for the next time.
Learning the basics of home cooking has been one of the most rewarding and punishing experiences of my life. I really believe that experimenting with food, using trial and error many times, has taught me to be much better at making small mistakes in my life. Whether you're cooking easy recipes or perfecting intricate techniques, cooking has a lot to offer adults and children alike, and if nothing else, it's a great way to bond, have fun, and share delicious food. Four years ago he created a life skills cooking class at his local high school focused on the needs and abilities of his students.
The first one I bought was Vegan Cooking for Carnivores, which turned out to be an incredible option because it took me back to the beginning and taught me a lot of cooking basics that I thought I knew, but didn't know. In a society that cooks less and less at home due to busy lives and sometimes lack of knowledge, teaching children the fundamentals of cooking can help them become confident in cooking and be healthier in their next few years.
