What’s New and Most Popular
Enter your email address to receive updates
and freebies from NicheTopics
© Copyright 2004-
Niche Topics (Pregnancy and Kids) is all about practical parenting advice and parenting
skills to help you deal with common parenting challenges from toddlerhood to teen
years. You’ll find tons of healthy food ideas and easy-
Categories
Resources
Benefits of Cooking with Your Children
By Martha Sanders
One of my earliest and sweetest memories of my childhood is cooking with my grandmother. It was grandmother who ignited my passion for cooking and baking. I remembered those whimsical adventures in the kitchen, stirring, mixing, squashing, kneading, rolling, scooping... so much fun!
The thought of cooking with children may not be appealing to many as it is not something
you look forward to when you are tired, children screaming behind and the whole family
is hungry. But cooking with children is not a daunting task. It is a golden opportunity
which open up a world of imagination and creativity to young minds as well as a good
way to build confidence.
Cooking is an ideal way to foster sibling bonding among your children, nurture their appreciation for wholesome foods, imparting a basic life time survival skill and the best deal of all, pass down family traditions and heritage by sharing recipes.
The list below reinforces the benefits of cooking with children and you will be amazed at what young chefs can do.
1. Develops motor skills such as hand eye coordination and manual dexterity:
My children enjoy cooking with me from a young age. They are experts at mushing, banging and ripping. At 2 years old, they are learning to use large muscles in their arms so I let them scrub produce and tear greens.
To master hand control, I allow them mix batter, spread soft butter with a plastic knife and bread dough. At the same time, they are also building sensory skills through tasting, hearing, feeling, smelling and seeing different foods.
When children are 4 to 5 years old, they are learning more refined hand and finger
co-
At an older age about 6 to 10 years old, children can do more intricate tasks such as cracking eggs and decorating a cake. However, keep in mind never to include sharp dangerous equipment.
2. Builds a foundation for healthy habits:
If you have a picky eater at home, get your child involved in the kitchen to motivate them. Children will eagerly eat food they have prepared themselves and take immense pride in watching others enjoying and appreciating their food – it is a boost to their confidence and self esteem.
In addition, families who cook and eat together tend to have better nutrition and less likely to make unhealthy fast food choices. Teach all about food nutrition and inspire children to put down junk food.
3. Acquire organizational and mathematical skills:
Use the cooking as an educational tool to build and hone skills such as counting,
measuring, weighing, tracking time and fractions, and following recipe directions.
Children can practice these skills in fun way without realising it.
4. Learn about hygiene, encourage responsibility and teamwork:
I make use of this
golden opportunity to educate my daughters on proper food handling and personal hygiene.
I get them to participate in cleanup by assigning specific and manageable duties
after cooking. It is a great way to instill a sense of responsibility from young.
Like I said, cooking with children is a great time for spending quality time together, it may take an extra bit of patience but you know it is all worthwhile when you see happy and proud faces!
Perhaps you can start your first cooking experience with your children this summer holiday? Don’t forget to take out that camera!
Learn tips on how to cook with children and help them learn in the kitchen while doing so.
Fun Ways to Teach Kids Multiplication
Times tables are a fundamental building block of math. Discover tricks to help kids learn multiplication easily.
How to Stop Video Game Addiction
Video and online games are freely available to children. Learn how you can effectively solve your kids' video game addiction problem.
How to Discipline Kids without Spanking
Is the old saying "spare the rod and spoil the child" really true? Raise good kids without hitting or yelling.
How to Help Kids Sleep at Night
Help your kids establish a bedtime routine and get a good night's sleep.
6 Effective Ways to Stop Kids from Biting Nails
Learn techniques on how you can keep kids from chewing nails for good. Apply to adults as well.
4 Good Tips to Teach Kids About Hygiene
Know why personal hygiene is important to kids' health and learn how you can educate kids on hygiene.
11 Creative Ways to Get Kids to Brush Teeth
Find out how you can get kids to brush their teeth and make brushing teeth a fun activity everyday.
7 Ways to Encourage Kids to Save Money
Help your kids understand the concept of money and teach them about saving as early as possible.
6 Fun Ways to Motivate Kids to Do Chores
Household chores teach kids responsibility and life skills. Discover how you can get your kids to do housework, and keep them interested every time.
Going crazy getting picky eaters to eat? You’ll love these tips – they always work like a charm for parents!
