Cooking is an essential life skill with many implications for a child’s life.  It is important to emphasize healthy and whole foods.  In Preschool, cooking brings health and enjoyment.  Cooking also imparts math lessons in measurement as we add ingredients.  We explore fractions as we cut and share the bounty.  Children also learn chemistry as they witness ingredients blend and change.

BBC https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/guide-cookery-skills-age , recommends cooking activities to which Preschool aged children are especially adept:

• Weighing
• Using measuring spoons
• Washing fruit and vegetables
• Cutting soft ingredients
• Breading and flouring
• Mixing
• Tearing and squashing
• Sieving
• Using a pestle and mortar
• Podding, picking and hulling
• Kneading
• Rolling, shaping and cutting dough
• Spreading

I’ll also add, Young children can also take responsibility for setting the table and washing their dish after the meal.

I especially enjoy making breads with the children.  They are entirely able to participate in each step of the process, and there is something special about breaking-bread with your community of learners.  It is also a loving touch for the class to cooperate in baking a cake for each child on their Birthday.

What do your children like to cook?  Do you have a great recipe to share?  Leave a reply.