You may probably hear that involving the kids in the cooking process can benefit them greatly. The reality is, it requires extra time, patience, and cleanup (especially after a hectic day).
The question is... Is it all worth it?
According to child and family experts, they believe that both parents and kids will benefit in the short and long terms, making the time spent well worth the effort.
If you want to start cooking with your kids this summer and learn all the advantages that come with it, keep reading!
GREAT REASONS TO COOK WITH KIDS
Most parents are aware that cooking with kids can be enjoyable and that it also encourages them to eat more healthful food, but did you know that young minds can learn a lot from the process of cooking?
It might require a little flexibility and basic preparation. However, if you set the right expectations, cooking with your preschooler or first-grader can be a fun adventure for you both.
Kids can benefit from helping out in the kitchen in many different ways. Cooking can facilitate:
1. Learning of Measurement
Your child can learn the tools used in measuring liquids and ingredients for recipes and be familiarized with kitchen tools such as teaspoons, tablespoons, and measuring cups.
One can learn how different qualities, like pints and quarts, relate to one another. By talking with kids about how ingredients are measured and added to recipes, you can incorporate math into your cooking class.
2. Discovering about Fractions
In preschool and the first few years of elementary school, fractions are typically not taught. Building a foundation for this kind of mathematical processing can give your kid a chance in learning fractions by providing them real world examples.
First thing, your little learner can practice cutting up meals or ingredients into smaller pieces so that he/she can see a visual representation of fractions. (i.e. cutting tortillas into thirds or quarters)
Your kid can also learn fractions by pointing out the numerals on the measuring cups/spoons. (i.e. "2 over 3 is a two-third cup")
3. Awareness of Temperatures
Encourage kids that cooking food according to proper temperatures is essential. They can also learn about floating, melting, freezing, and burning which helps kiddos be aware of hazards in the kitchen.
4. Knowledge about Food Groups
Children who spend time in the kitchen and prepare new recipes are better able to form positive relationships with different types of food groups, including grains, dairy, protein, fruits, and vegetables.
It is crucial to establish a positive relationship with healthy food because they are the foundation for good nutrition.
5. Differentiation Healthy and Unhealthy Foods
Your child can get the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals she needs by eating the right amount from each food group.
Despite the fact that children may want to eat nothing but junk food and candy, teaching them the value of a healthy diet at a young age can pave the way for a lifetime of health habits.
6. Building Life Skills
Teaching your child the fundamentals of cooking will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Cooking is an ideal way to boost self-worth and teach responsibility since kids love a sense of accomplishment. Aside from that, they can easily follow instructions and develop reading and math skills.
Children can learn bilateral skills, which is referring to the use of two hands together, such as pouring ingredients into a bowl, and learn about knife skills using a plastic butter knife (under the supervision of an adult) to develop motor control and dexterity.
7. Introduction to Chemistry (Mixtures/Solutions)
Want your kid to learn some chemistry? Look no further than your kitchen!
Exploring mixtures and solutions, as well as perhaps a reaction or two, with ingredients from the kitchen is a very simple way to practice chemistry at home. For example, baking soda and vinegar is always a child's favorite to create bubbles!
8. Reading Recipes and Writing Grocery List
To help them practice reading and pick up new words, encourage them to read labels and recipes aloud.
You can ask your child to write out the grocery list before you go food shopping which builds reading comprehension, writing, and math skills. Young children may be encouraged to draw pictures of the items their parents want to shop or to use a combination of letters, numbers, and pictures.
9. Art of Budgeting
As a parent, you can show them how to set a budget amount to spend at the grocery store and practice making a spending plan.
Teaching kids to budget in an age-appropriate way can build your child's confidence with money as they grow so that they can learn about smart spending and staying within budget.
NUTRITION ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS USING BOOM CARDS
It is never too late, (or too early), to get your kids helping in the kitchen.
Aside from the cooking and helping out process, your child can learn more about food and nutrition with themed activities. Teach kids how to eat healthy with this interactive Boom Learning Activity!
Check out Food and Nutrition | Healthy or Unhealthy Eating | Food Groups DIGITAL Tasks as my recommended resource for Boom Cards about Nutrition.
Your young learner can enjoy engaging and fun activities while sorting healthy and unhealthy foods that are good and bad food group choices and learn more about major food groups with these digital Boom Science Task Cards.
Click here to grab this 40 Digital Task Cards on Nutrition on the Boom Learning.
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I sincerely hope you are able to make priceless memories that your kids will cherish always as you start bringing your kids to the kitchen if you haven't yet.
I do wish this blog was helpful to you, and I'm celebrating with all small and big wins you have. Don't forget to rest, relax, and enjoy the pleasures life brings!
See you next time and may you have a OINKtastic week! 🐷
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