Cooking With Kids: Teach Skills and Make Memories

PASSIONS | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

NEXT TIME YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR CHILD SOME LIFE SKILLS, just step into the kitchen.  Cooking with kids is a great way to do a little family bonding, teach math and language skills, and encourage creativity. And you might even get that night’s dinner made in the process!

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One of the greatest benefits of cooking with your kids is that they learn about nutrition and healthy eating. Whenever possible, talk about how fruits, vegetables and the other products we eat are grown.  By doing so you are giving them tools to become health-conscious eaters.

Nearly every aspect of cooking has a learning element. Have them read a recipe. Let them use measuring cups and spoons to count out the right amount of ingredients. Let them chop, whisk, knead or pour — all of these use motor skills.

Cooking also encourages creativity and teamwork. While they’ll simply love spending time with you, they’ll also love knowing they are contributing to the family and will feel the importance of helping.

By far the biggest challenge to cooking with kids is having patience. It will always take longer to make a meal or snack when kids are involved. And no matter if they are 3 or 13, there’s bound to be a mess. As the saying goes, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” Just expect it and, while cleaning up, think of all the memories you are making with your child.