At YMCA, we recognise that learning extends beyond nursery, and one of the best ways to foster independence and skills development is by getting your little ones stuck in with everyday activities, starting with the kitchen! From stirring ingredients to exploring healthy foods, here are some simple ways to make cooking a fun and educational experience for the whole family.
Reasons to get children involved in the kitchen
Supports the development of fine motor skills – cooking is a hand-on activity, and tasks such as chopping, string, and kneading ingredients allows children to strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers, improving their coordination and dexterity.
Promotes adventurous eating – Involving your little ones in the meal planning and cooking process fosters curiosity about different foods, tastes, and textures, opening them to a wider variety of healthy food options.
It provides a great family bonding experience – Cooking acts as a fantastic family fun activity! As you and your child work together in the kitchen, it allows for communication, teamwork, and a shared sense of accomplishment when you tuck in to the delicious meal you made together.
Ways to get children involved in the kitchen
Make meal planning and food shopping fun
Turn meal planning and food shopping into an exciting activity for your child by involving them in the whole process. Sit down with your little one’s and ask them what meals they enjoy and what foods they would like to try so you can integrate these into a weekly meal plan. When it comes to food shopping, let your child pick out ingredients such as colourful fruit and vegetables. Not only will this spark adventurous eating, but will allow your child to express autonomy over their meals.
Promote learning in the kitchen
Cooking can also provide children with fantastic learning opportunities. As your child gets involved with tasks such as counting ingredients, using measuring jugs, and setting timers, they can develop their numerical skills in a fun and practical way.
Additionally, cooking is a great way for your little one to learn about the origins with food. When working with different ingredients, discuss with your child where they come from. From learning how vegetables grow, to discovering how bread is made, these discussions will spark your child’s curiosity and help them understand more about the world around them!
Make it a sensory experience
Make cooking a sensory adventure by encouraging children to explore different textures, tastes, and smells in the kitchen. Allow your little one to get stuck in with touching and feeling different ingredients such as kneading dough and mixing ingredients. In addition to this, experiment with brightly coloured foods such as beetroot, sweet potatoes, and tomato, as well as tasting and smelling the different aspects of their meal. Allowing cooking to become a sensory experience allows children to develop their fine motor skills, whilst discovering plenty of new and exciting ingredients!
Assign tasks for everyone
Assigning tasks or roles to each family member during cooking can make the experience more enjoyable and collaborative. Give your child specific responsibilities based on their age and abilities, such as washing vegetables, stirring ingredients. This allows everyone to feel included in the meal preparation, providing your little ones with a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
Involving your children in the kitchen is a wonderful way to nurture important life skills, build confidence, and strengthen family bonds. At YMCA Nursery, we understand how these experiences can make a big difference, turning mealtime into a special opportunity for learning and creativity. So, gather your little ones, roll up their sleeves, and have fun cooking as a family!
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