Since she was an infant, my daughter, Dagny, has been watching me cook. I would set the Babybjörn on the kitchen counter, giving her a clear view as I chopped and prepped. I’d hand her vegetables and cups to play with. When she was old enough to stand, I would set up her workstation where she’d “help” me wash produce, sort things, and pull off stems. Sure, it made things take a little longer, but all of this was building her confidence. She felt useful.
Kids learn essential life skills in the kitchen. They see firsthand what whole vegetables look, feel, and taste like. They also understand the energy, intention, and love that is needed to properly care for themselves. It is for these lessons, as well as the following, that time spent learning to cook can embolden children, giving them confidence for the rest of their lives.
1.) It boosts self-sufficiency.
I resolved early on that my daughter will know how to cook for herself. She can choose to eat out or buy packaged foods, but she will know HOW to cook real food when she chooses to do so. When children have the skills to make their own food, it empowers them to be self-reliant.
So often, we reach for the easiest thing, even when the more nutritious option requires only a few minutes of preparation. But if we are not accustomed to putting in the work, the task can seem much bigger than it is. The practice of preparing healthy foods becomes easier after spending time in the kitchen. Teaching kids these skills allows them to learn to prepare the healthier options. They start to conjure the images, smells, textures, and flavors of the dishes they crave. It takes time, but it steadily sets them up for success.
2.) It inspires healthy habits and patience.
Having the wisdom to cook teaches kids to sit with their desires and cravings before binging on processed treats. They learn to consider what goes into the food rather than quickly stifling an emotion with a packaged snack. Sometimes, we are just bored, thirsty, or dealing with uncomfortable feelings and we seek immediate relief. By having to wait and put in the work to make something, it teaches kids to take a pause. Often that’s all it takes to move through an emotion and move on.
This is also linked to empowerment. Babies and small children show their power through eating—or not eating. This stems from our innate human need for control. Inviting children to take part and invest in the process of making healthy dishes often motivates them to eat better. When a child feels that something is their idea, they are more likely to support it all the way through. This significantly reduces resistance at the dining table, something every parent can appreciate.
3.) It builds reading comprehension and problem solving.
Oftentimes, I’ll have Dagny look through my cookbooks and pick something out to make. Learning to cook provides an effective way for children to build their reading and math skills. Cookbook material is fun and inspiring. It’s often technical and involves words that aren’t often used in everyday conversation, which helps to broaden children’s vocabulary.
4.) It increases safety.
Kids learn by watching. I started showing Dagny the importance of taking care around sharp knives (saying “ouch!” as I pointed to the blade), hot stoves, and pan handles (sucking in my breath as I pointed to the flame). Rather than telling kids what not to do, this approach teaches children what they need to do to stay safe. Just like looking both ways before crossing the street, they’ll know to place a knife away from the counter’s edge to avoid accidentally bumping into it and knocking it on the floor (and onto their foot). Ultimately, grown-ups are responsible for their children’s safety. I never take this for granted. I do believe, however, that these moments in the kitchen teach children basic safety skills.
5.) It encourages smart judgement.
When children know how fresh cilantro smells, and what brussels sprouts on the stalk look like, they will naturally make wiser decisions when it comes to ingredients. They develop a better appreciation for real foods. For instance, if your little one knows the basic ingredients in chicken soup, they’ll be more apt to question why there are twenty-five convoluted ingredients in Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. What is soy protein isolate for? What IS “flavoring?” This is not to say that children still won’t reach for the brownies and cakes. We all do. But they’ll be keen to follow a diet with more whole fruits and vegetables and few processed items.
6.) It creates memories and honors traditions.
Cooking is how my late mother-on-law showed her son that she loved him. They often light-heartedly argued in the kitchen because of their competitive nature. Regardless, he appreciated those moments. As we chop and measure with children, we bond. We also create memories, as these multi-sensory experiences stay with us. The song playing in the background. The scent of fresh rosemary. The rainbow of colors on the cutting board. All of these tangible things create memories from which children learn and grow.
My hope is that you can create a space with your children, or perhaps your nieces and nephews and the children in your life, for cooking, for being that mentor and creating special memories while helping kids build life skills.
Love,
PrimaFoodie
