Why You Should Let Your Kids in the Kitchen

Do you let your kids in the kitchen?  Do you let them stir, pour, dump, wash, and (most important in my opinion) lick?

I love cooking with my children and having that special one-on-one time with them, but sometimes I just want to get my job done.  Around four o’clock I can often be found sneaking off to the kitchen to accomplish dinner prep without any little assistants.  Yet, they always seem to find me and I soon hear, “Can I help?”

I’m always glad when I take the extra time and effort to incorporate one of my children into the cooking process.  We both enjoy having time together and I love seeing the pride on their faces when they have a finished product.  The kitchen may be a mess, but their little smile makes it all worth it!

Bringing your children into the cooking process can mean even more work for mama-I get that!  But you will be providing your children with much more than just cooking skills.   Does all that mess really matter anyway?  Here is some great motivation for you to involve your kiddos the next time you find yourself sneaking off to the kitchen to cook alone.

Reasons to let your kids cook

Focused one-on-one time

I assign each child two days of the week to help me in the kitchen.  We have wonderful conversations while we cook side-by-side.  My mind isn’t on a million different things, and I can relax and talk with my little one.  My kids always seem to open up to me as we work together.

 

Teaches cooking skills

I am amazed at the cooking skills my 8 year old has developed while helping occasionally in the kitchen.  He is able to follow simple recipes-pancakes being his favorite dish.  Sometimes he cooks himself an egg before I even get downstairs in the morning.

I know the time I invest in teaching my children to cook now will pay dividends as they grow.  I’m looking forward to lots of nights off in the future!

Encourages picky eaters

I would not classify my children as picky eaters.  Of course there are foods they don’t care for, but they are expected to at least take two bites of everything on their plate.  Battles over supper are not commonplace in our home.  When they are involved in the cooking process, they are more eager to try new dishes.

 

Educates about proper nutrition

Talk about nutrition and why you use particular ingredients while you work alongside your child.

While my 8 year old loves the taste of white breads, he has learned why we put wheat flour in almost everything.  He notices the all-white pancakes he made don’t keep him full as long as wheat pancakes.  This opens up a conversation about fiber.  He chooses a healthy snack of carrots or a piece of fruit all without coaxing.(Sometimes there is more taste-testing than cooking! Especially when you are making dessert!)

Develops appreciation for the work mom puts in to every meal

Through no fault of their own, children are very ignorant about what it takes to run a home.  I find involving them in cooking as well as other household chores shows them how much work goes on behind the scenes.  Make sure you have them help you with the clean up chores too!

The title “Mom” does NOT mean you are a maid!

(Here is a golden-oldie of the boys “helping” me make a red velvet cake-oh my!)

Pride in a Job Well Done

I love telling Daddy how one of the children helped make a particular dish.  Daddy compliments them and they have pride in their work.  Make sure you thank your child for their help.  All cooks love to be complimented on their work!

Are you good about letting your little ones help in the kitchen?  How can you improve?

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