Teaching Kids How to Cook

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Teaching Kids How to Cook

by Amy Schamburek

Supervision is the key ingredient to cooking with kids. All children develop cooking skills at different rates - having an adult introduce cooking skills that match their ability is essential. Successful meal preparation by an adult and child is rewarding and strengthens relationships. Getting the entire family involved will build lasting relationships and great memories for years to come.

How Children can help in the Kitchen:
Children Ages 3-6 years:

From Our Cookbook: Graham Cracker Sandwiches | Cool Watermelon Slushes | Bite-Size Pizzas | Potato O's | More Recipes For Kids

Stir ingredients in a bowl - make sure to use large spoon and large bowl.

Wash vegetables and fruits. The kids will love playing in the sink!

Shred lettuce for a salad - tearing large and small pieces will teach them about size

Add ingredients to the recipe - this will teach order and organization

Children Ages 6-8 years:

Have them set the table - this is a great way to show organization

Use a dull knife or child safe knife to cut soft foods - teaches relationship tosizes

Beat ingredients with a wire wisk - a great way to show how things blend to makeother items

Fill and measure cups and spoons - teaches accuracy Children Ages 8- 10 years:

Prepare kid safe recipes - they will love the sense of accomplishment

Use can opener, electric beaters on low speed (with supervision only) - a greatintroduction of kitchen tools

Have them place items in the microwave and choose the numbers - a great way to reinforce time and conversion

Children Ages 10-12 years:

Use an oven with supervision - a great lesson about degrees and heat conduction

Use a knife to cut foods (supervision is essential) - teach techniques in cutting different foods

Use a grater to grate cheese, or other similar foods - teaches coordination

Children Ages 13-16 years:

Prepare recipes with multiple ingredients - helps child organize kitchen skills

Prepare recipes independently with little supervision - mastering these skills builds self-esteem and builds trust

Each child develops differently and at different rates, use this as a guideline to help build great family chefs. The rewards you will receive from family involvement will last you years to come. Most of our fondest memories center around food. Your child will appreciate the time and dedication that you have invested in their well being.

About the Author:
Amy Schamburek of 20ish Parents

From Our Cookbook:
Graham Cracker Sandwiches | Cool Watermelon Slushes | Bite-Size Pizzas | Potato O's | More Recipes For Kids

kids-image Let's Get Cooking!

While there are many reasons for teaching kids to cook -- less expensive than eating out, preserves family heritage, etc, the most important reason is that by teaching your child to cook, you're giving him a better chance to be a healthy grown-up. Enabling your child with the ability to appreciate freshness and to transform ingredients into tasty foods opens their eyes to making wiser choices about what to eat...

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