Skills learnt through cooking

The more opportunities for kids to learn through doing the better for their learning outcomes.

It means as they become part of the process they take control of their learning, they take more responsibility in their learning and they tend to learn more overall.

Cooking provides many learning opportunities across all areas of development.

It is an experience that can be tailored to suit the age and level of the child.

Cooking with kids has many added benefits as well as the learning provided by cooking.

Whilst it is important to have some foundations for children when they start to learn to cook such as basic rules, safety and food practices engaging the child in the cooking process is the key to enjoyment.

Kids can do some ‘pre’ Chef skills from an early age with appropriate supervision.

Cooking helps to teach so many skills including life skills and can help to foster a positive attitude towards food.

Cooking with kids provides children with the opportunity to have a discussion about food- where it comes from, purposes for food, types of food and so many other possibilities.

• Co-operation and teamwork by working and sharing with others in the kitchen.
• Appreciation for different cultures.
• Cognitive skills -maths skills by counting, measuring and following recipe directions, science skills.
• Literacy – reading, comprehension and vocabulary.
• Confidence, responsibility and self esteem.
• Encourages creativity.
• Food preparation enhances organisational and cleanliness skills.
• Sensory skills through tasting, hearing, touching, smelling and seeing different foods.
• Motor skills such as hand eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• Fun time together and encourages bonding between siblings, friends, etc.
• Communication.
• Building a foundation for healthy habits and food and nutrition skills that will be carried on throughout their lives.
• Increases a child’s interest in trying new foods.

• Use blunt scissors to cut soft foods.
• Wash fruits and vegetables.
• Tear lettuce.
• Stir, whisk, beat liquid or dry ingredients together.
• Grease pans or baking trays.
• Use a rolling pin (to roll dough, crush cookies, make biscuit crumbs).
• Peel oranges, bananas, hard boiled eggs.
• Spread with a butter knife or sandwich spreader.
• Squeeze lemons or oranges.
• Mash vegetables or fruits with a fork or potato masher.
• Measure dry ingredients with supervision.
• Shape hamburgers or meatballs…….and the list goes on.

• It’s a good idea to check if the recipe is applicable for kids to use before you start.
• Wash hands before starting.
• Read the recipe and have all the ingredients and utensils you need before you start in one place.
• Measure the ingredients as listed accurately.
• When mixing in a bowl… tip…. place a cloth underneath to help stop it slipping but still hold it so the child can mix easily.
• Get the child involved in the clean up as it is part of the cooking (albeit the not fun part).
• Be clear on all the rules before starting, such as only adults touch the oven, etc.
• Always have adult supervison.