Six reasons to cook with your kids

Cooking isn’t something all children are taught in school. Kids learn about different types of foods but it usually doesn’t go deeper than that.

For the most part, I learnt cooking at home. I used to observe while other people were cooking and with time I knew my way around the kitchen. I’m no expert or anything but at least I know the basics.

It’s important to nurture that culture in your kids early on because it’s a basic survival skill. Sooner or later, they’ll have to know how to prepare a few meals so it’s better to show them while they’re still young so that they have ample time to perfect their skills.

Other than being a life skill, cooking with your kids has many other benefits.

Its nurtures their self confidence

Building a strong sense of self in your kids isn’t always a direct process. An indirect approach to it like involving them while cooking goes a long way as well.

It works because they get to freely ask questions as they learn. They also won’t be as shy around you and they’ll feel like their opinions matter.

The deeper lessons they learn go beyond cooking.

This is a chance for them to learn about safety

A lot of accidents happen in the kitchen. People get hurt and others have lost their loves because of small mistakes.

For peace of mind as a parent, you have to involve your kids while cooking so that they understand the safety measures they need to take.

If they’ll be preparing simple meals on their own, you won’t be suffocated by anxiety because you’re sure they’ll be okay.

Cooking together is a great way to bond

Obviously your kids won’t be young forever. Before you know it they’re moving out and living their independent lives.

All parents have those moments where they miss carrying their babies and although no one can turn back time, you can do your best to spend time with them when you can.

You’ll both have fun preparing food or desserts together.

They learn critical thinking and explore their creativity

They’ll know if something is ready to eat, how to measure ingredients properly, why they need to wash their hands and clean their nails before handling food, how to hold a knife and so many other important skills.

As they learn how to prep different meals, they’ll be more encouraged to create their own combinations and masterpieces.

They’ll embrace healthy eating more

Your kids will give healthy eating a chance once they see that it’s not as boring as it sounds. Being involved in the process makes them more excited to eat something they prepared.

Also, they’ll learn new healthy and delicious recipes and realize that some healthy foods taste even better than junk food.

Grab that opportunity to educate them on the health benefit of certain foods, smoothies and everything to do with healthy living.

it’s a far much better approach than forcing them to finish their veggies.

It breaks societal norms

These days it’s not about which gender belongs in the kitchen and which one doesn’t.

Cooking isn’t necessarily for women because everybody needs to learn how to, as a skill that will come in handy later in life.

Boys also enjoy cooking and others even find that their passion is in culinary arts.

This process also helps them learn about their own culture and different cultures of the world through food.

Right now during the health crisis, no one can travel so this is a nice way to familiarize with other parts of the world without necessarily going there.