The Benefits of cooking with kids

Family life is busy! And with young children, mealtime can be one of the most hectic times of the day.  Keeping little ones safely entertained while preparing a healthy meal that they will actually eat isn’t easy.   But rather than turning on TV or pulling up YouTube to occupy the kids while you cook, why not enlist their help in the kitchen?  You might be surprised at the benefits.
 
Counting skills:  Cooking involves a lot of counting.  Whether you’re adding eggs, cups of flour, or tablespoons of oil, you have to count. Not only will your child hear the sequence of numbers, they will get a visual of “how many” that number means.
 
Measuring and fractions:  One-half, one-quarter, two-thirds…fractions are confusing for kids. Introducing them to measuring spoons and cups when cooking will help them to see what a fraction, or part, of a whole actually is.  Rather than fractions being a complicated concept in their math curriculum, they become a tool with a practical use.
 
Gaining an understanding of food as fuel: Cooking with your kids provides an opportunity to talk about how food fuels their bodies.  It’s a great way to teach them about healthy food choices, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
 
Following directions:  Following a recipe teaches children how to follow directions.  It goes without saying that this is one of the most practical skills anyone can learn!
 
If they cook it, they will probably eat it:  When we help with a project, we’re more likely to be excited about it.  It’s human nature.  If your kids help with dinner, they’ll most likely be more open to trying something new or eating the vegetable du jour.
 
Time together, new skills, and a healthier understanding of food are just some of the benefits of cooking with your children.  Yes, your kitchen will be a little messier after your little chef helps prepare dinner, but your heart will also be a little fuller, and the plates might just be a little cleaner at the end of your meal!

Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.