Learning Is On The Menu

Before Beginning

During the Experience

• Choose a recipe you’ve made so there are no surprises. (Especially a family recipe that’s been handed down.) You don’t want to choose something too difficult when cooking with children. It may be something as simple as fruit salad or a sandwich.

• Make sure you talk about why it’s important to wash your hands before preparing food. You may need to practice hand washing, as well as washing all the produce, surfaces, and utensils.

• It is also a good idea to discourage sampling and double dipping because it is so easy to spread germs that way.

• Cut down on some of the time it takes to cook with your child by being prepared. Gather all the necessary tools and ingredients before starting.

• When cooking with your children, remember to talk about every different thing you’re doing, and use proper terms for things when you talk. For example:

• If you’re making a batch of cookies, ask if they think you should include salt in the recipe. Do they think adding salt will change the taste of the cookie?

• The recipe calls for 3 cups of water. We have put in 2 cups. How many more do we need?

• The recipe says it needs to cook for half an hour. How many minutes is that?

• Encourage your child to measure ingredients over a cookie sheet for a faster and easier clean-up process.

• Show your child (preschool and older) how to handle items like graters and knives the correct way and how to use them safely so fingers are protected. It may seem early to teach this skill to your child, but it’s important for children to understand the responsibility and dangers.As long as you are close by to supervise, it is a wonderful learning experience.