Cooking recipes are passed down from generation to generation and shared in kitchens across America. Yet, with more families eating out or heating up ready-to-serve microwavable meals, the tradition of cooking may be lost on a generation of children.
Time spent in the kitchen allows children to learn healthy eating habits, basic culinary skills and independence – not to mention the fact that cooking is a low-cost activity.
Choose a recipe. Children of any age can learn to cook; however, starting out with a recipe that has five or fewer ingredients can make cooking less complicated. For toddlers, cinnamon toast or simple sugar cookies can be baked. Teenagers can pick a side dish or dessert item to go along with a family dinner. Make sure that all ingredients are ready to go, as one doesn’t want to be caught shorthanded with excited kids in the kitchen.
Introduce culinary skills. Measuring and pouring ingredients may seem easy, yet for small hands and fingers, these life skills require practice and patience. These skills also encourage hand-eye coordination and the use of mathematics. For older children, teach kitchen skills such as how to properly peel potatoes or julienne carrots. The use of mechanical items such as blenders, stoves and toaster ovens can be taught to older children. Properly handling knives, hot pans and boiling water are important skills to emphasize in the kitchen for all age groups.
Discover each child’s specialty. While some children may enjoy baking homemade bread, others may have an exceptional flair for fruit salads. Encourage children to discover a passion when cooking. Involve the entire family or have guests over, with each person sharing his or her secret recipe. Read through Grandma’s old cookbooks or recipe cards, not only to pass on great recipes but to pass on history from previous generations.
Cleaning is just as important in the kitchen as cooking. The importance of proper hand washing should be taught when cooking with children. Show how to wash fruits and vegetables to remove chemicals from the outsides. Those children who may not want to participate in food preparation can still have a responsibility during mealtime, such as learning how to properly set the table – with the forks to the left of the plate and the knives and spoons to the right. Once a meal has been enjoyed, encourage everyone to clean up afterward and place leftovers in the refrigerator promptly.
Time spent in the kitchen is not always about mixing ingredients and learning new recipes. Children of all ages will enjoy the one-on-one time spent with parents and siblings. Younger children will recognize the importance of Mom and/or Dad taking time out for family occasions. Kids in their teenage years can be encouraged to have more open relationships with their parents. “How did your day go?” and “Is there anything you want to talk about?” are questions that can casually be asked in a relaxing atmosphere – perhaps even over a plate of fresh-baked cookies from the oven. Bon appétit!
To learn more about how to build a kitchen to fit your family’s lifestyle and budget, call Joliet Cabinet at 815-727-4096 or e-mail info@jolietcabinet.com.