Cooking with kids may encourage good eating habits. “It’s also a great way to bond, create memories, teach life skills, and reinforce all sorts of learning,” says Sally Sampson, founder and president of ChopChop Family, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and teaching families to cook and eat real food together. Food preparation helps develop gross and fine motor skills; following a recipe involves reading, math, and the ability to follow directions; planning a menu requires organizational skills; shopping teaches financial literacy; observing the chemical changes of food (like the browning of a cut apple, the development of dough as it is kneaded, and the rising of bread as it bakes) opens the door to scientific inquiry; trying dishes from other countries increases cultural literacy; cooking together improves teamwork and communication skills; and sharing family recipes builds family values and a sense of tradition. “First and foremost, we want cooking to be a fun activity,” says Sampson. “The learning will come naturally.”
Cooking together also provides an opportunity to talk. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk about difficult subjects when you’re working side-by-side than when you’re looking into each other’s eyes,” says Sampson. “Plus, when you teach kids to cook, they’ll cook for you!”
How to Get Started. “Engage kids slowly,” says Sampson. “Take them grocery shopping.
Let them pick out a fruit or vegetable to cook together or choose a recipe to try. Our ChopChop Family magazine is a great resource. Leave it out on the counter and let them pick it up and find what interests them.” While baked goods are a common theme for family baking, they’re not the best choice. “When you start with desserts, that’s all kids will want to make,” Sampson cautions.
Be consistent with your values around food. Don’t buy a lot of special “junk foods” just for your kids or grandkids; Feed them the good, healthy food you eat. Cook with them and let them taste as they go. Let them be part of the process, and enjoy the results!
How to Get Started. “Engage kids slowly,” says Sampson. “Take them grocery shopping. Let them pick out a fruit or vegetable to cook together or choose a recipe to try. Our ChopChop Family magazine is a great resource. Leave it out on the counter and let them pick it up and find what interests them.” While baked goods are a common theme for family baking, they’re not the best choice. “When you start with desserts, that’s all kids will want to make,” Sampson cautions.
➧ Get Cooking! Involve kids of all ages in preparing meals with you, it is never too early. If you don’t cook, you can learn together!
➧ Be Age Appropriate. Make sure the tasks children undertake are developmentally appropriate.
➧ Reinforce Learning. Subtly apply skills they are learning in school, including reading, measuring, math, and science.
➧ Make Memories. Talk, bond, and share family recipes and food-related traditions such as holiday meals.
➧ Eat Together. Follow up the cooking by eating together as a family—screens off.
Be consistent with your values around food. Don’t buy a lot of special “junk foods” just for your kids or grandkids; Feed them the good, healthy food you eat.