Source: Unsplash/Hannah Tasker
Teaching children all about food, why it matters, and where it comes from is important.
Cooking can aid in the development of skills like reading, problem-solving, planning, and making sensible choices. Getting them involved in cooking also gives them more control over their little lives, thus boosting their confidence.
In order to help a child feel interested in cooking, you have to engage them in a way that is fun and exciting. If you’re not sure how to approach this, don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be complex. To get you started, here are five enjoyable ways to get kids involved in cooking:
1. Don’t Get Kiddy Friendly Equipment
It’s important not to feel pressured to get special child-sized equipment. They grow out of those items really quickly and they can actually hinder your child’s development of food preparation skills. Instead, invest in good quality cookware sets and knife sets and teach your kids how to chop safely.
2. Choose Some Great Recipes
A great way to engage children with cooking is to have them help cook their favourite food. They will be excited about the results and already invested in what they are cooking. You can then get more creative and work on more creative kiddy friendly recipes.
3. Make Some Time
The average American spends just 37 minutes a day preparing food and cleaning up the kitchen after cooking. With that in mind, it is no surprise that many people don’t feel they have time to have the kids help out in the kitchen.
Instead of trying to squeeze the kids into a rushed cooking environment, start by cooking with them for just one meal a week. On a day you have more time, set aside a couple of hours to cook a meal. The more relaxed you are, and the less busy the timetable is, the more fun the family cooking session will be.
4. Allow Curiosity
Curiosity is a fantastic way to get kids interested in the preparation and cooking of food, especially when it comes to nutrition. A study showed that kids who were allowed access to sensory food education, where they can touch, taste, and smell different kinds of foods, were more likely to choose fruits and veggies from a buffet.
Often we are told to stop children playing with their food when, in fact, it’s a great thing for them to do. Letting them touch, taste, and smell new things can actively spur on their desire to learn more about food, and help them choose foods better for their health too.
5. Grow Your Own
A study from 2007 concluded that children are more likely to eat fruits and veggies if the produce is grown at home. Sure, it isn’t the most recent study, but if you have ever grown anything with a child you will have some insight as to why this research stands the test of time.
Allowing children to grow the ingredients for their food promotes curiosity and a sense of ownership and pride. All home gardeners can attest to the fact that the food tastes better too! Even better, they gain a true understanding of where their food comes from and can learn about science and the environment throughout the process.
With the tips above, you can encourage your children to be curious and engaged in the preparation and cooking of food. As a family, you can look forward to enjoying delicious meals, lots of new skills, and plenty more quality time together.
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