Teaching Your Child How to Cook
If you're ready to teach your kids how to cook, here are some
simple tips for teaching them the basics, and giving them skills
that will last them a lifetime!
First off , think safety. Any child that has to stand on a
stool or chair in order to reach the stove is too young to cook.
Start your younger children off by letting them help set and clear the
table, gathering ingredients, and stirring, mixing or adding
ingredients.
Next, set rules about handling knives and other sharp instruments
and handling hot pans or boiling ingredients. Some parents start
off by teaching their children to cook by showing them how to make
things that don't require cooking, and then proceeding to letting them cook food in the microwave.
Create a relaxed atmosphere that is fun when teaching your children to cook. Remember what it was like when you were learning to
cook? Chances are, you made a few messes and broke a few dishes.
It happens. Learning to cook should be fun, not drudgery,
although there are certain responsibilities that go along with
the privilege, such as cleaning up as you go along, and leaving
the kitchen clean when you're finished.
Start with the basics. Show your kids what the different
utensils are used for, and the right way to use them. Teach them
about herbs and spices, and using the right ingredients for the
right dishes. Cooking is a great way to learn fractions and
chemistry, your kids probably will not realize they're learning
while having fun!
Begin with simple recipes. There are some great cookbooks
for
kids on the market today, that include step-by-step instructions
along with pictures so kids can see what something's supposed to look
like while they're assembling the recipe...let success build on
success.
Give your child a chance to shine. As they learn to cook more
complicated recipes, let them be responsible for planning -- and
cooking lunch or dinner one night. Letting your child plan the
meal -- and even shop for the ingredients will help them to
realize and appreciate the effort that goes into cooking.
As your child becomes more skilled, begin including foods from
different cultures. Many recipes such as French crepes or Italian
lasagna are not difficult to make, and your child will develop an
appreciation for many different kinds of food.
Especially for younger children, having tools that are their own
size not only make cooking more fun, but make it easier for them
to participate. Kid-sized kitchen utensils can be found at many
department or specialty stores.
Make sure you take plenty of pictures -- you may not realize it
now, but you're making memories that someday will be as delicious
as that batch of chocolate chip cookies you're baking now!
About the Author
Frank Flohr (aka Chef Phronc) is passionate about cooking and is a self proclaimed "Chef". Frank shares his passion for cooking at http://www.recipecorral.com/blog where you will discover some of the best recipes and culinary resources available on the web today. Unleash the hidden "Chef" inside you!
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