Cooking with the kids~ Tapasi

Apr 9, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Jan 1, 2021

Wonder what samosas taste like when it is raining outside?

Joy of cooking

Children use all their senses to engage in learning about food, baking and cooking. This activity also inspires their curiosity, thinking, and problem solving, offering new opportunities to make predictions and observations. As they follow a recipe, they organise ingredients, follow a sequence, and carry out multiple directions. They usually explore and taste the herbs and spices around the world during sensory play. They also learn the names of some international and multicultural foods as they read through a cookbook with family. Hands-on cooking experience helps children develop language and literacy, spatial awareness, logic and reasoning, promotes healthy eating, and boosts a child's self confidence.

Following recipes encourage children to be self-directed and independent. It also teaches them to follow directions and develop problem-solving skills. As children learn chopping, mixing, squeezing, and spreading, it enhances fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination. To be able to be a part of the cooking experience gives a child a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Cooking encourages children’s thinking and creativity. It also allows children an opportunity to use the knowledge they have and apply it by counting, measuring, following a sequence, following directions, and cause and effect.

Tips for introducing recipes to children

Create a recipe chart with your child with photos [from flyers or old magazines] describing each step. Discuss the various ingredients and where we might find them, like in places like farmer’s markets, grocery stores or the kitchen garden.

Discuss safety and sanitary measures with the children before and after the cooking experience. Include children in the clean-up process with a song.

Have ingredients in their raw form for children to smell, taste, touch and feel. Have all equipment, tools, and ingredients prepped and ready. Read the recipe aloud, discussing as you go.