Cooking with Kids Archives

All kitchen tasks are achievable, no matter the age of the cook. It only takes desire, knowledge, and perseverance to learn any skill which you desire to perfect. However, there are different levels of expertise that are age and experience-level-based. When working with children in the kitchen, both teachers and students need to keep expectations accurate. Below, I have listed some suggested cooking-related tasks based on ages. Keep in mind, these are just suggestions, and each child will progress at their own speed based on experience level. At the preschool level, kids are full of energy and curiosity. They still need almost constant supervision with any task, especially in the kitchen, where dangers may abound. If you give them basic tasks to keep them busy while completing your jobs, their transition to loving to cook will be much easier on both of you. At this age, their best tools are their hands. They are still learning to perfect their motor skills. It will be best to focus on activities that allow them to grab, tear, smash and bang. By the time these kids enter school and are at the young cook level, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are more developed. At this age, the kids love to show off the stuff they have accomplished. Also, they are learning to read and write, and this is an excellent time to teach them to read and follow directions in a recipe. This age range is very impressionable and is a perfect time to bond with them over the kitchen routines. Preteens!!! Oh, my goodness! Life with them is becoming an adventure daily. At this age, they are becoming more independent daily. Extremes are the norm. Expect that same attitude in the kitchen. Embrace it! It is time you will come to treasure. I guarantee you will. They thrive on positive affirmation, so be ready to give it. Forgive the errors and the messes. Teach them to deal with them and go on to success. Teenager and beyond is another level that will bring great transition into your life as well as theirs. Teens are ready to take on challenges and master the equipment in your kitchen. At this point, it is easy for your kitchen to become their kitchen. Would you mind taking advantage of that independence and letting them learn on their own? Be there as backup, but let them experiment and perfect their skills. You may be surprised how much they have already learned and what a good cook they have become. At the Young Cook level: Preschool: Ages 1-5 Stirring batter in a bowlRinsing fruits and vegetablesTearing lettuce for saladsWrap potatoes in foil to bakeSmashing grahan crackers for pie crustsCuttings soft fruits and vegetables with non-sharp knife (table knife)Mixing and kneading yeast doughsRolling bread or pie doughsUsing cookie and biscuit cuttersMeasuring and pouring liquid and dry ingredientsSpreading butter, jelly, and peanut butter on breadMashing potatoes and other cooked veggies Young Cooks: Ages 6-8 Whisking eggsSetting the tableMixing dry ingredientsMeasureing and counting itemsFrying grilled cheese sandwichesCracking eggsPeeling fruits and vegetablesUsing paring knivesUsing specialized hand tools, such as garlic press, can opener, and juicerFrosting cupcakes and icing cookiesMixing cookie dough and brownie mixMixing cake mixes and pouring into panReading aloud the recipe ingredients and steps Preteens: Ages 10-12 Trimming and slicing fruits and vegetablesUsing a Chef's Knife and other large knivesUsing specialty appliances such as a waffle maker, quesadilla grill, and Ninja appliancesUsing a food processor, blender, and stand mixerPutting foods into the oven and removing themMaking sandwichesMaking toasted breadWashing and putting away dishesUnloading groceries and helping to put them awayWorking with timers and thermometersBaking quick breads and muffins and cake mixesCooking canned soupsSteaming riceRoasting vegetablesMaking their own school lunchLearning to use microwaveBasic kitchen cleaning Teenagers: Ages 13 and up Using all kitchen appliancesDeveloping knife skills to efficiently chop, dice, and minceBaking more complicated yeast doughs and pastriesPanfrying and grilling meatsUsing slicers and mandolinsUsing and cleaning outdoor gas and charcoal grillsDeep-frying foodsFrying hamburgersLearning the process of preparing an entire mealLearning the process of a complete kitchen cleanup As I have said many times before, learning to cook for oneself is very important. Teaching your child to cook gives them a start on a life skill that they can continue to develop and perfect. Cooking helps to build the self-confidence kids need to be more self-sufficient and successful in life. It's important to teach kids to enjoy preparing food and sharing meals with family. Hopefully, this knowledge will encourage them to carry on that tradition with their own families when they are adults.