Despite the mess, aggrivation and mayhem, cooking with children can actually be a pleasurable and a learning experience. All it takes is a little pre-planning and some simple recipes (you can find lots at your local library). The fact is, cooking helps children develop language, social, sensori-motor, and math skills. They also learn a great deal about science and nutrition. Here’s a quick breakdown of the skills children develop while cooking in the kitchen.
Nutrition
* learning about the Canada Food Guide
* the value of a healthy meal or snack
* the fun in trying new and unusual foods
Language Skills
* reading recipes
* building vocabulary skills
* following written and verbal instructions
Science
* how food changes from one state to another
* the different physical properties of food
* food and temperature changes
Social Skills
* getting along and working cooperatively with others taking turns, sharing
* respect for other’s work
* trying new experiences
* a feeling of accomplishment
Sensori-Motor Development
* touch and food texture and size
* taste and smell
* sight and food appearance
* muscle coordination, chopping, stirring, kneading, mixing
Mathematics
* measuring
* numbers and fractions
