How to Teach Kids to Cook

Although it may sound hard, teaching your kids to cook can actually be very beneficial to you and them. You get the benefit of having someone to help in the kitchen, while they have the opportunity to learn and master new skills and information. Here's how you can teach your kids how to cook.

Instructions

1. When kids first enter the kitchen to learn about cooking, it is important that you teach them about proper cooking hygiene. Pulling your hair back and washing your hands are two of the most important things to do before you start cooking and teaching this to them at a young age will help make it a lifelong habit.

2. Get out the recipe and discuss it with your children. Teaching them to read over the recipe before beginning any aspect of it can be beneficial when they begin cooking more complex items that may require certain things done ahead.

3. Teaching your children about the different cooking utensils in your kitchen that are frequently used is also important. Your children should be able to read the recipe and match the requirements of the recipe to the proper utensils. For example, if the recipe calls for a 1/2 cup of flour, your children should be able to pick out the 1/2 cup measurement.

4. Mixing up the recipe with your children and cooking it is the final step. In the beginning, you will have to do some or most of the work as your children learn and master different cooking skills. However, teaching them how to cook will slowly build their confidence and before long they will be able to cook on their own with some supervision.

Tips & Warnings

• Teaching kids how to cook works best if you begin with a simple recipe that doesn't require a lot of time or precise care.

• Children will be more interested in cooking if you prepare something they want to eat.

• Some cooking involves cutting things with a knife. Ensure that your child is of proper age to be using a knife and carefully supervise them when doing so.