• Decide what safety considerations you feel comfortable with. If you cook with your kids regularly and they are capable of handling a small knife, adapt tasks to their skill level. For instance, you could cut potatoes into slices with a big knife, and then they can cut the slices into smaller pieces with smaller knives. Or if they can't yet use knives, have them wash and perhaps peel the potatoes. Children may also be able to stir a pot on the stove if you are close by.

 

• Talk through the recipe - with older children, you can get them to read out the steps beforehand and get out what will be needed, talk through the processes and plan who's going to do what. With younger children, simply explain what you're making and show any pictures to help with understanding and a sense of purpose.

 

• Learning opportunities - as you're cooking, talk about ingredients and their origins, cooking processes and techniques. Cooking can be a great way to learn about science, geography and maths (through weighing) in a practical way. It's good for fine motor skills and coordination too.

 

• Touching and tasting - this will make the experience more enjoyable for them, encourage more adventurous eating plus it's a good opportunity to teach children which foods are safe to eat raw. Ask them to use a clean spoon to taste, not fingers and stirring spoons (at least not until the end!)

 

• Make it fun! Children will learn to love cooking if you relax and have fun with them in the kitchen. If you feel nervous, start with basic recipes, they're still a good learning experience. Only step in when it's absolutely necessary, otherwise let them enjoy and create.

 

• Ask them what they'd like to make, to give them a sense of control and self-worth.

 

• Take out all of the ingredients ahead of time and have the proper tools ready and grouped in the order in which you're going to use them.

 

• Practice patience and have a sense of humor—the two most valuable tools!

 

• While age-appropriate equipment and tools should be in a place where your child can easily reach them, dangerous items such as knives, kitchen scissors, matches, igniters, and anything with sharp blades, like food processors, should be kept out of reach. Also, a small child needs a slip-free step stool.

 

• Keep cleaning equipment close by. Enlisting kids in the cleanup will make the experience more pleasant for everyone — and teach them another essential life skill!

 

• Invite a confident cook to help. If you’re a kitchen novice, this is an ideal time to learn alongside your kids. If you’re a confident cook, you’ll have some extra help.

 

• Praise them. Providing for our kin is such a primal urge that kids feel an immediate sense of pride and self-worth when they feed their families, so make sure to gush over their hard work.

 

• Accept that not all kids like to cook. Your non-cooking kids can still contribute to the meal by washing produce, cleaning off cans, setting the table, folding napkins, deciding which platters to use, garnishing the dishes, clearing the table and tasting each dish to determine if it needs additional seasoning.

 

All in all, there are many ways to engage kids in the kitchen. If you do so regularly over time, you'll likely develop capable cooks who will not only be able to cook for themselves, but also for you!

 

**

 

References:

 

Hire, C. (n.d.). Top 10 tips for cooking with kids. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-tips-cooking-kids

 

Negrin, J. (n.d.). Cooking With Kids, Without Going Insane : Recipes and Cooking : Food Network.

Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/articles/cooking-with-kids-without-going-insane.html

 

Seaman, T., & Steel, T. (n.d.). Tips for Cooking with Kids | Epicurious.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.epicurious.com/archive/everydaycooking/family/cookingwithkids