Little Chefs, Big Skills

There has always been something special about cooking and sharing food. From enjoying favorite meals to spending time with the people we care about most, food is an important part of daily life. Did you know it is an important part of your child’s learning too?

In the hustle and bustle of a busy schedule, cooking meals can easily become a means to an end. That said, cooking can be more than a chore. In fact, inviting kids into the kitchen promotes healthy development and boost literacy skills. Here’s how!

Promoting Bonding and Social Skills

Cooking supports social development and bonding by promoting a sense of belonging and an opportunity to enjoy the company of others. It also provides a chance to practice skills that help kids create and keep friendships. For example, asking kids to help follow a recipe allows them to practice sharing, listening, communicating, and reasoning—all skills we need to get along well with others! Family meal preparation also allows caregivers to share the stories of the foods they ate growing up and celebrate heritage through recipes.

Fostering Independence

Asking kids to be a part of choosing recipes and meal preparation helps them be more excited about cooking and helps boost their confidence. Providing input and having agency in the kitchen helps kids master skills and learn to solve problems. As they practice, small successes and learning new skills promotes positive self-esteem and independence that carries into life beyond the kitchen.

Boosting Literacy and Learning

Cooking is a wonderful way to apply lessons at home. Cooking requires the ability to read the recipe, write ingredient lists, plan ahead, and follow instructions in the correct sequence. There are also concepts of math and science in every recipe: counting, measuring, and fractions. Take the opportunity to discuss how food grows, state changes from liquid to solid to gas, or how our bodies get nutrients from different types of foods.

Cooking can be a fantastic way to bond and support kids’ learning at any age! The kitchen is full of opportunities for kids to explore new ideas without even realizing they’re learning. Getting started can be simple—and delicious!

Ways to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen by Age:  

5-8 Years Old  

• Measuring
• Peeling
• Reading Recipes
• Stirring
• Counting
• Sprinkling
• Cracking Eggs
• Rolling
• Pouring
• Mashing 

9-12 Years Old  

• Using Kitchen Equipment
• Weighing
• Calculating Double or Half of a Recipe
• Trimming and Cutting
• Frying
• Whisking
• Grating
• Flipping
• Timing
• Making a Shopping List

Check out Kids' Cooking Classes

Watch for kids' cooking events, "Cooks & Books" hosted by Arapahoe Libraries approximately every other month for ages 5 and up. It is a great opportunity to try out some of these skills at the library!