Week of: July 9, 2006

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

Cooking with kids is a great way to spend time together and create lasting memories. Learning to cook is fun and makes children feel proud of their abilities.

There are many benefits in teaching kids to cook. Knowing how to cook tasty and healthy food is an important life skill. Planning a meal teaches cooperation and organization skills. Cooking with children provides a chance for parents to teach about food and good nutrition. Children learn or practice math, reading, language, science and motor skills. And finally, involving children in cooking is one of the best ways to encourage them to try new foods and learn to enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods.

Supervise children closely in the kitchen. Cooking skills are learned at different rates. Gradually introduce children to skills that match their age and level of ability.

Children as young as age three can be given simple jobs, such as tearing lettuce, stirring cool mixtures or sorting food by shape or colour. Children aged five to seven can measure ingredients, toast bread in a toaster or wash vegetables. Seven to ten year olds can usually grate cheese or blend foods in a blender, while children ten and over are often ready to slice, chop and use the oven or stovetop.

Safety in the kitchen is the top priority. Set out ground rules for your children before starting to cook. Have them identify sources of danger. What is sharp? What is hot? Do they know the rules for using electrical appliances safely? Make it clear that cooking is serious business and that horseplay cannot be allowed in the kitchen.

Children also need to learn basic food safety habits. Teach them to always wash their hands before they start to cook. If they cough, sneeze, wipe their nose, pat the cat or touch raw food, remind them to wash their hands again. Young children should not handle foods that carry a high risk of food poisoning, such as raw meat or eggs. Older children can learn how to keep foods like raw meat separated from vegetables and other foods that are eaten raw.

There are many cookbooks and internet websites with nutritious recipes and safety guidelines for cooking with kids. These can be a great source of ideas.

Cooking with children takes time and patience, but is well worth the effort. They will be gaining a skill that will help to keep them healthy for a lifetime. It is a bonus for busy families when everyone is able to share in meal preparation. Before you know it, your child may be preparing an entire meal!

WRITTEN BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONISTS OF SASKATCHEWAN

Originator: Linda Gilmour Kessler, Five Hills Health Region, Week of Sept 28, 2003.

Adapted by: Heather Drozd