What can children learn through cooking?

Cooking with children can provide many beneficial learning experiences. Whilst the kitchen can provide many opportunities for young children to learn, it can be a dangerous place if children are left unsupervised while they cook. Before beginning it is worth remembering a few safety tips.

• Collect everything you need before hand so you don’t need to leave your child unsupervised.
• Encourage children to wash their hands before cooking.
• Use only oven recipes rather the grill or rings on the hob.
• When teaching your child to cut, use a blunt knife and soft foods. Any cutting requiring a sharp knife should be done by an adult. Explain the dangers of using knives. Restrict the use of sharp kitchen tools such as graters and peelers to older children.
• Point out heat sources and precautions that you take such as using oven gloves when removing things from the oven. Never use dangerous equipment such as a deep fat fryer.
• Set up a safe place where your child can work. Pre-schoolers would be best with a work area at a lower height. Only offer a stool if your child is able to balance on one.
• Remember that raw meat or raw eggs should not be tasted.

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