Did you know that bringing your child into the kitchen can benefit them in a number of ways? Well it can. Cooking can actually help your child build basic skills, encourage an adventurous palate, help explore with their senses, and boost confidence.
Build basic skills. Cooking can help your child hone basic math skills by doing something as simple as counting eggs or pouring water into a measuring cup. You can ask what comes first, second, and third. You can also count together as you spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. Reading a recipe together, introduces new words to your child's vocabulary and promoting literacy. Following steps in a recipe can work on your childÕs listening skills.
Encourage an adventurous palate. Bringing a picky eater into the kitchen to cook can help get them to open up to new tastes. Playing chef might get your child to sample dishes they wouldn't try if you just served them to him/her. So, encourage kids to taste new ingredients you're working with.
Help young children explore with their senses. The kitchen is the ideal place to allow children to learn by exploring with their senses. Have them listen to the sound of the mixer. Pound dough, watch it rise, smell it baking in the oven. and finally taste the warm bread fresh from the oven.
Boost confidence. People of all ages love to show what they can do and working in the kitchen provides opportunities to gain a sense of accomplishment. If your child helps assemble a pizza, let them know that their help was important. You could name the pizza or another dish after your child. Serve "KevinÕs Pizza" or "BrettÕs Salad" for dinner tonight. Even if the end results are not exactly what you expected, praise their efforts.
This cookbook was created to help children of the ages 3-16 learn how to have fun in the kitchen while preparing meals for themselves or their family. Once your child reaches the age of 16, they will be able to cook anything in this cookbook.
This book is divided into chapters by age. This makes it easier for the parent to know what their child can do at what age. As your child ages, they will be able to do the things from age 3 to their current age.
HereÕs to cooking the best meal ever!