Although it may seem like a routine activity to you, cooking is an art form and for a child it’s a whole new world to discover. That’s why it’s the perfect activity to spend time with them while they learn a new skill.
Cooking with your children can be a great way to spend time with them, while keeping them away from screens and video games.
The limits to impose in the kitchen will depend a lot on the age of your children, but you can actually start introducing them to this world at a very young age. If you have a baby, you can leave him near the kitchen so he can watch you cook, perceive the smells and touch with his little hands the different textures of some ingredients.
That’s why it’s the perfect activity to spend time with them while they learn a new skill.
Cooking with your children can be a great way to spend time with them, while keeping them away from screens and video games.
The limits to impose in the kitchen will depend a lot on the age of your children, but you can actually start introducing them to this world at a very young age. If you have a baby, you can leave him near the kitchen so he can watch you cook, perceive the smells and touch with his little hands the different textures of some ingredients.
Basic tips
Aarón Sánchez, chef, writer and TV host, has shared his love for cooking on multiple occasions with Siempre Mujer. And in this interview conducted last September, he gave us three basic tips to introduce children to the world of cooking.
Patience
It is normal for children to be careless and not grasp everything the first time, so you must be very patient when teaching them how to toast bread. And we don’t even talk about cleaning the kitchen because you can already imagine how it will end up.
Take them with you to the flea markets
Going grocery shopping, take your kids with you! Let them see the seasonal produce, touch the vegetables and show them how to pick the best ones. If you go to a farmer’s market, so much the better.
Show them a kitchen tote
A board, knife or frying pan can be amazing gifts for a child of a certain age. In addition to encouraging their love of cooking, it will keep them busy and active in an activity beyond tablets and video games.
Other aspects to consider
But in addition to these tips, it is also important to consider the following:
Choose easy recipes and according to the age of the children. You can even let them choose the recipe.
Safety: delimit the space where they can move around, keep them away from heat sources and make sure they wear protective footwear.
Hygiene: both personal and kitchen hygiene is important for food preparation and to avoid possible accidents.
Explain to them the reason for everything. From the type of ingredients you use, to the quantities and cooking times are important elements for your children to learn not only to cook but to do it consciously.
