As KidsHealth from Nemours explains, cooking with kids can be a valuable learning experience. Sharing time in the kitchen can help children learn about nutrition and math and allow them to start building the cooking skills that they will need as adults. While cooking can be dangerous for children, taking commonsense measures to promote safety will minimize the risk of any kitchen-related accidents.
Schedule
KidsHealth from Nemours advises that you schedule your cooking activity for a time when you aren't rushed to get a meal on the table. If you're not concerned about meeting a deadline, you'll be able to put all of your attention into ensuring that your children remain safe while cooking. Depending on how many children are in the kitchen with you, you may also want to pick a time when another adult is available to help you supervise.
Plan
Plan out the kid-friendly tasks involved in the dish before you actually start cooking, notes KidsHealth from Nemours. Think about the abilities of your children and what jobs would be well-suited to them. Giving your child skill-appropriate tasks will help ensure that he doesn't put himself at risk by trying something he's not ready for.
Establish Rules
Before you begin cooking, lay out any necessary safety rules, making it clear what tasks are appropriate for children and which tasks are only to be done by adults. For instance, you may need to tell younger children that they need to stay away from the stove. Depending on their skill level, older children may need warnings about the oven or other appliances.
Wash Hands
Make everyone thoroughly wash their hands before they start cooking. As the California Department of Education explains, proper hand washing entails scrubbing all areas of the hands with soap and water for about 30 seconds. You will need to wash your hands again if they are contaminated by actions such as touching raw meat, blowing your nose or touching anything else unsanitary.
Demonstrate
Show children the correct way to use tools and appliances, emphasizes "Scouting" Magazine. For instance, you may need to demonstrate how to use a knife or how to operate the mixer. Any tool can be dangerous if children don't receive proper instruction.
Supervise
Supervise your children vigilantly throughout the entire cooking process, PBS Parents advises. In addition to observing, you may need to frequently reiterate the safety rules or correct a child's technique.
Delay Sampling
Avoid letting anyone sample a dish until it's done cooking. As Pennsylvania State University's Better Kid Care Program notes, uncooked food is more likely to harbor food-borne illnesses.
References
- KidsHealth from Nemours: Cooking with Kids
- California Department of Education: Teacher Tips--Cooking with Kids
- Better Kid Care Program: Kids Can Cook--And Learning Is the Secret Ingredient
- "Scouting"; The Fun of Cooking with Kids; Suzanne Wilson; November/December 2003
- PBS Parents: Cooking with Kids
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