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I mean here is a real cooking, cooking for the family food. I just find out that my kid, a preschooler can do a lot more in cooking than I ever think. She pretends to cook with her food toys, so why not introduce her to the real world of cooking. Cooking can be a new learning experience for the kids. I begin to involve her in the cooking preparation. I get a help, she is having fun and we engage in conversation during cooking. In her eyes, I’m the best cook though I’m not. I find that kids learn and benefit from cooking.
- Develop Fine Motor Skill – kids learn how to use their fingers to pull the vegetables. They are able to use the cutlery knife to cut the vegetables in pre-determined sizes or slice the raw ingredients.
- Adopt Living Skill – I see “able to cook” as a living skill when they grow up as an adult.
- Develop Learning – I include maths and science into cooking. Maths, kids learn to estimate the length of vegetables they should cut or pull. I involve counting and basic maths (addition and subtractions) by saying: I take away 2, how many are left? I add 2, how many do you see now? When she asked: when are the vegetables going to cook? I said: count until 50 or 100 and you shall see if the vegetables soften and change colors. Science, kids learn all kinds of vegetables and spices: the name, the texture, the fragrance or smell, the changes of vegetables after being cooked. This cooking experience will encourage kids to eat vegetables more. My kid usually wants to taste first after the cooking is done.
- Fun - Sometimes, we play guessing game during cooking. We take turn to ask questions. She asks question too, such as: what kind of fruit produces milk? and she will hard to guess when I ask: what veggie that has golden teeth and blonde hair?
- Pride - kids will feel proud if they can do adult’s or mommy’s job. Do remember to praise them for encouragement.
Besides kids benefit and have fun from cooking, you shall take safety precautions. I have my safety tips for cooking with kids:
- Set the rules for DON’Ts and let the kids know. Don’t use the kitchen knife, instead use the cutlery knife. Don’t turn on the gas cooker by yourself.
- The kids should wash hands before and after cooking for hygienic reason and do put the apron to protect their clothes.
- Don’t let the kids sample the ingredients before they’re cooked.
- Don’t let the kids handle the poultry, meat or raw seafood.
- Always supervise and check the kids’ work.
- Allocate short time period otherwise the child will get bored and overworked.
Apart from sharing my own experience with my kids, I also find interesting resources for kids, Kids Cooking Activities, to help your kid learn and grow in the kitchen. This e-book is from mom who compiled all her kids cooking lessons. So, they are tried and true. The cooking lessons are tailored to kids age group. Two great e-books Food Facts and Kid Friendly Finger Foods and Dips come with this e-book as a package.
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| Filed Under: Enrich Learning Tagged with activities for kids, cooking with kids, fun, kids, Resources for Kids |
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It’s quite cute to watch little youngster go at it in the kitchen. A show in Australia is currently running and it’s about chefs for little kids.
It’s really good when your kids are learning new and relevant things that make them better. Cooking, home cleaning and personality enhancement through proper grooming are things that kids should learn from their parents early in their childhood. It’s great to have children who can live independently at a young age.
Thank you Lashon for your comment. it’s good for learning life skills.