Cooking skills

Cooking is a skill that is best taught early — it’s good to get your children introduced to kitchen basics so they can prepare simple meals for themselves as soon as they’re able.

Nutritionist Donovan Grant says while it is important for children to learn to cook, it must also start with a level of responsibility on the part of the parents so that accidents are prevented.

He noted that teaching your child to be a part of the kitchen should be done in stages from as early as five years old.

“At a young age they can knead the dough, mix the batter, wash the rice,” he says.

“Give them a chair to stand on to put their plates in the sink, and as they get older encourage them to wash their little plastic plates, and probably put the cake in the oven with somebody supervising them.”

Grant says as the kids get older and can hold knives, they can peel vegetables, butter bread and set the table, followed by lighting the stove.

He says not being in the kitchen can lead to a lot of problems such as turning to fast food which can lead to nutritional problems, or the children not knowing how to care for themselves if they board at college, or even being able to help around the home should an adult get ill and is unable to cook.

“So you start them in a gradual way and give them more responsibility as they get a little older,” he says.

When teaching your child to cook, start with something very simple and fun. This will make them look forward to going into the kitchen the next time around.

Here are some tips to get your children cooking and comfortable in the kitchen in no time.

1. Get them familiar with the kitchen.

Tell them what the different appliances in the kitchen are for, and make sure that you tell them about the dangers of the kitchen if certain rules are not followed.

2. Supervise them.

Always be in the kitchen with your child especially if fire, hot food and sharp utensils are involved. But despite the fear you may feel for them, encourage them with a pleasant, positive attitude.

3. Get them involved by allowing them to decide what to cook one day of the week.

Have one day in which they get a chance to be a part of the decision making as to what will be prepared. And if you make things like pizza then they can get a chance to put on the toppings. They can even get a plastic knife to make different shape toppings which will be fun for them. In fact, this can be something that the entire family can be involved in.

4. Use cooking terms

It makes for good conversation to explain what you are doing while using the correct cooking terms and explaining to them what it means. Grant says as they continue hearing the terms they will become familiar with them and eventually be able to perform them. 

5. Compliment their efforts and partake of the food with them.

Children are usually quite enthusiastic and excited about helping mommy or daddy in the kitchen. As a result, compliment their efforts and make them know you are proud of them. Then enjoy the food prepared together.