At What Age Should A Child Learn To Cook

The subject of at what age a child should learn to cook has been intensively debated by the world of mothers. Oftentimes, a mother’s first horrific vision of a child cooking is their sweet newborn next to a hot stove with a fillet knife in one hand, and a pot holder in the other. Obviously, this would cause nightmares for any woman, however, at one stage or another, every man woman, or child will be faced with the issue of cooking, or not cooking.

While it has been acknowledged that it has an important role in the development of child, many mothers put it off far too long. The answer is, there isn’t a specific age at which a child ‘should’ learn to cook.

My child has been cooking with me since she was two and a half. Like most mothers, I was terrified. Every time I turned my back to grab another ingredient, she was into something she shouldn’t be, however… When she cooks with me, we share more than just the kitchen. The memories made are well worth the patience needed.

Of course, at two and a half she wasn’t using a fillet knife. It started slowly, mix this..stir that..pour this. She is now six years old. We have slowly graduated from spoons and forks to butter knives. Today she is able to work the microwave. make herself sandwiches, salads, and she helps me add ingredients into the mixer.

The importance of the times we’ve shared in the kitchen is immeasurable.

I know that because of her early start in the kitchen, she will forever be able to work her way around it. We often choose complicated recipes that intimidate even me and work them out together. She understands what a ‘cup of flour is’. If every child is able to build these skills, over time we would not be so dependent on fast food restaurants and dining establishments.

At what age should a child learn to cook? Any and every age. Incorporate your child into your daily kitchen routine. Teach them the small essentials and start off slow. Patience is a must, and disasters happen daily. You must encourage and praise them often to ensure their love for the kitchen grows. Teach them the importance of vegetables and fruits early.

Adventures in Veggieland is a great book to go through and teach your child the difference in the tastes, smells, and textures of each vegetable. The more that you let your child explore veggies, the more they will enjoy eating them! Adventures in Veggielands gives children a unique perspective of those foods they often don’t like and allows them to be creative in preparing them for the rest of their family and friends!

Let them destroy a perfectly good cake with mayonnaise and olives, then let them see, touch, taste, and smell their work. Soon they will get the feel of what tastes good and what doesn’t. Always remember – when you’re taking a bite of peanut butter, mayo, ham, strawberry, sour cream, and spinach sandwich, Smile and say MMMMMMMMMMM! 🙂

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