articles

COOKING WITH KIDS OFFERS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

By Kyrie Collins, Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher February 9, 2016
Cooking a meal together is a great way to spend time bonding and also offers plenty of learning opportunities, like following directions, exploration of the senses, and basic math skills. Children who help prepare a meal are more likely to eat it, and learning about safe food preparation and nutrition is an important life-long skill.

Children are natural-born helpers. From the time my boys were toddlers, they wanted to help in the kitchen. Now that they are tweens, I still ask each of them to prepare a meal with me one night a week. Even though the meal preparation takes a little bit longer, it gives us a chance to connect one-on-one. I can really see the pride and sense of accomplishment on their faces when we thank the hands who prepared our food during the meal blessing.

Cooking with kids can be a lot of fun as long as the tasks are age-appropriate and supervised.

Toddlers can:
  • Add measured ingredients to a mixing bowl
  • Rinse fruits and vegetables
  • Mix and pour with assistance
  • Mash and pound (great for pizza dough)
  • Taste-test
Preschoolers can:
  • Help plan a balanced meal
  • Begin to read recipes
  • Count and measure with assistance
  • Cut softer foods (soft cheese, mushrooms, dough) with a kid-safe knife
  • Cut herbs with kitchen shears
  • Mix and pour
  • Set and clear the table
School-Age Children can:
  • Plan several meals for the week
  • Check the pantry for ingredients and then help make the shopping list
  • Grocery shop with you and learn about budgeting and price comparison
  • Read and follow recipes
  • Learn to use sharper items like peelers, graters, and zesters
  • Learn to use a knife
  • Learn to use the stove and oven
  • Help wash dishes

If your child really enjoys cooking, you might want to look into cooking classes.
  • Castle Rock Recreation Center has Little Chefs and Holiday Cooking Arts for preschoolers (ages 4-6, $17-$22),  Anyone Can Cook and Holiday Celebration Cooking for school-age kids (ages 7-12, $20-$24). They usually offer school break cooking camps as well.
  • Highlands Ranch Community Association offers dozens of cooking classes for every age range, from toddlers to teens. Classes and camps. From Cookies from Around the World to Pasta Power, you're sure to find something to peak your kid's interest.
  • Lone Tree Recreation Center has Chef Kids ($29-$32), Cupcake Challenge ($19-$21), and Kitchen Kids ($25-$27) for school-age kids ages 7-12.
  • Parker Parks and Recreation offers Kids Cooking Camps over Spring Break for ages 6-13. Week-long camps start at $170.
  • Williams-Sonoma offers free Junior Chef Classes on some Saturday mornings. Most classes are for ages 8-13, although some are suitable for ages 5-13. Space is very limited, so call to register. (Incidentally, they also offer Free Technique Classes for adults on Sunday mornings.)