How to Teach Kids Basic Cooking Techniques

As soon as a child is old enough and tall enough to safely reach the stove, and can be careful around hot surfaces, food, and liquid, that child can learn to cook simple dishes, such as macaroni and cheese.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Apron or other protective clothing
• Thick hot pads or oven mitts
• Box of macaroni and cheese dinner
• Milk
• Butter
• Measuring cup and spoon
• Saucepan
• Stirring spoon
• Colander or strainer

1. Pick a time when there is no need to hurry—a weekend, school holiday, or other similar time.

2. Protect your child’s clothing with an apron, smock, or other similar garment.

3. Read and follow the directions one at a time.

4. Assist your child in measuring the water and adding it to the pot.

5. Allow your child to place the pot on a cold heating element, then turning on the unit.

6. Show or tell your child when the water is boiling, then help him or her pour the macaroni into the boiling water.

7. Let your child stir the macaroni and adjust the heat if needed.

8. Tell or show your child how to know when the macaroni is tender, then help him or her remove the pot from the heat and pour it into the colander or strainer.

9. Let Junior or Joanne shake the colander or strainer to get all of the water out, then pour the macaroni back into the pan.

10. Let your child return the pan to the heating element that has been adjusted to low. Provide some help if needed.

11. Have your child measure out the correct amount of milk into the measuring cup, then pour it into the saucepan with the macaroni.

12. Tell your child to use a measuring spoon to add the right amount of butter.

13. Let your child open the cheese mixture packet, add it to the macaroni, and stir until the macaroni and cheese is smooth and creamy.

Tips & Warnings

• Wooden stirring spoons do not become as hot as metal or stainless steel ones do, so let your child use them.
• Use a plastic measuring cup, if possible.
• Resist the urge to turn this into a school lesson reinforcement session. Concentrate instead on the fact that this is a chance to teach your child how to cook.
• Make sure your child’s clothing is not loose or flowing; secure long hair if necessary.
• Never leave a child unattended during a cooking lesson. If you must leave the room, turn the stove off and take the child with you.
• Guard your child against burns. Don’t let the child lean over the boiling pot or over the colander or strainer, or touch hot surfaces.
• If the pot is too heavy for your child to lift, pour, or carry safely, then either give help or do that yourself, so that no one will get hurt.

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