Kids' Cooking Lessons

Cooking lessons teach kids the basics of food preparation.

Kids' cooking lessons offer a basic introduction to kitchen skills while encouraging proper nutrition and allowing students to explore the creative aspects of food preparation. Culinary schools, day camps and after-school programs may offer cooking lessons for kids. Parents who enjoy the culinary arts may offer cooking lessons to their children at home. Regardless of the educational venue, kids' cooking lessons generally involve the same fundamental elements.

Cooking Equipment and Safety

Kids' cooking lessons often begin with an introduction to cooking equipment and safety. During the first few lessons, instructors may teach students how to safely use stove tops, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers and other appliances. Instructors stress the importance of using potholders and oven mitts when handling hot pans and dishes. Students learn the importance of turning off all appliances after cooking, preventing foods from burning, proper hand positioning for appliance usage and sterilizing utensils, bowls and surfaces. After students have mastered the basics of kitchen safety, instructors may begin introducing small appliances such as blenders, mixers and electric can openers.

Nutrition

Kids' cooking lessons may include nutrition education. Instructors teach students how to identify vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats in specific foods by using nutrition facts labels. They may also teach lessons on the role of water in the human body and the impact of different foods on growth and development. Instructors guide students through planning healthy menus and cooking the chosen food items. Though general cooking classes for kids usually involve a nutritional focus during some lessons, some cooking schools and community centers offer entire courses on healthy cooking for kids. These courses instruct students in creating healthy after-school snacks, packing balanced lunches and baking nutritionally sound alternatives to traditional desserts.

Reading and Following Recipes

Kids' cooking lessons familiarize students with reading recipes and following them correctly. Instructors teach students to recognize measurement abbreviations and match these with the correct liquid and solid measuring tools. Students also learn culinary vocabulary by reading recipes. Instructors demonstrate processes such as kneading, stirring, folding and tossing. Students practice these skills and receive guidance for improving their technique. Students learn that following all recipe instructions exactly is key for reaching the desired end result. Once students have mastered basic recipe reading and execution, instructors may teach recipe modification, such as doubling ingredients and ingredient substitution.

Creative Food Presentation

Kids' cooking lessons allow students to explore creative applications for cooking skills. After students are able to follow general cooking instructions in a safe, effective manner, instructors may give food presentation lessons. Older children may learn basic decorative plating, including pattern arrangement and use of garnishes. Cooking classes involving younger children may focus on simpler decorative elements, such as icing cookies and creating ice cream sundaes. Following lessons near the end of the course, instructors may organize family dining nights in which students present their individual food creations to their parents.

References

• "How to Teach Kids to Cook"; Gabrielle Gate; 2003
• "Planet Health: An Interdisciplinary Curriculum for Teaching Middle School Nutrition and Physical Activity"; Jill Carter et al.; 2007
• "Cooking With Children: 15 Lessons for Children, Age 7 and Up, Who Really Want to Learn to Cook"; Marion Cunningham et al.; 1995

Resources

• Kids' Cooking Activities: Age-Appropriate Kids' Cooking Lessons