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Teaching kids to cook
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Although my own "little chef" is only two, she's already fascinated by watching daddy puttering around in the kitchen. Usually seated on the floor (safely away from the stove) she'll play happily with a big plastic bowl and a wooden spoon while I prepare dinner.
One of the things I'm most looking forward to, in this grand adventure of fatherhood, is teaching my little one how to cook.
Both my father and grandfather were chefs and, though their own teaching methods were not always stellar, I'm excited about passing on the passion and enjoyment of cooking to Gracie.
Here are a few tips I've found to get kids started in the kitchen, with a minimum of fuss, and a maximum of enjoyment:
1. As I mentioned above, playing with wooden spoons, mixing bowls, measuring cups, etc, is a great way to get your toddler interested in what's happening in the kitchen.
2. Keep in mind that the kitchen, no matter how fun, is still a room full of sharp, pointy, and hot objects. Safety comes first! Grace is allowed to play or watch at a safe distance, or sit (strapped) in her highchair where she can get a closer look. Never allow a child to roam freely around the cooking area, and keep a close eye on where you set down that paring knife! It's also a good habit to turn the handles of all pots and pans inward when on the stove, so their out of tipping reach for little hands.
3. Pour ingredients like flour and sugar is a great way to get them some "hands-on" training. Hold off on projects like stirring hot liquids, or any work at the stove until they're a little older, and make sure you're right behind them the whole time. This is not the time to get distracted looking for an ingredient. This is one reason I suggest...
4. Start out with "no cook" recipes, like sandwiches, salads, and especially desserts. I've included a link to one of my favorites, here.
5. Be patient. There are going to be shells in the eggs, flour on the counter, and butter in the hair. Always be sure that these training sessions are held in a no-stress, no-deadline scenario. Whipping together a baked Alaska for dinner guests who will be arriving in an hour is not the time to let little hands help.
A side note on messes. A little spilled sugar is a great opportunity to teach your kiddo that clean up goes hand-in-hand with cooking. Let them know that "messes happen" but need to be cleaned up right away, and let them do it. Cleaning as you go is a lot more fun that a sink full of dirty dishes later!
6. Praise is the best ingredient! Encourage, encourage, encourage. As fun as it might be to watch those TV shows where snooty chefs are always barking at their unfortunate students...this isn't TV and you're not preparing your child for the high stress world of restaurant cooking.
Be patient, be kind, and encourage at every opportunity. Your child is much more likely to learn to love it, if their not afraid to come in the kitchen.
When serving a dish your child helped prepare, be sure to let everyone at the table know where to direct their "compliment to the chef!"
7. Cookbooks for kids, with step-by-step illustrations are a great way to teach kids the basics of following a recipe, and a visual example of how they "got it right" when the dish is done. Remember, even if the results down come out EXACTLY right, find something to praise in the process!
8. Get your child their own little apron and hand-towel. Having their own "gear" goes a long way to feeling like they are a part of what's going on. Growing Cooks has some great stuff!
9. From both a safety and economic standpoint, it might be best to invest in some plastic measuring cups, bowls, etc. They're lighter for small hands to maneuver, virtually indestructible, and cheap.
10. Once you've graduated from the basics, you can teach a life-long passion for cooking (and save yourself a little work) by allowing your little chef to be responsible for one dish at each meal. Vary the menu so they get experience so they learn salads, main dishes, sides, and desserts.
When they're ready, step back and become their assistant, and invite some friends or family over for their first big meal!
Most of all…have fun!
-Perry
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