There are many life skills that kids can learn in the kitchen. Aside from how to prepare food, kids can work on motor skills, communication skills, and even some academic skills. Kids who love to play pretend cooking with their plastic food set will be ecstatic to get into the kitchen with the real stuff. What age should kids start to help out in the kitchen?
Young Kids
Before little ones turn three, it is probably best to avoid major cooking adventures. However, there is still work to be done in the kitchen for little ones! They can help wash fruit and vegetables in the sink and mix or mash ingredients with adult supervision. While doing these activities, be sure to narrate what the child is doing to promote their communication!
3-5 Year Olds
Once the child turns three, they are ready for more kitchen activities. These ages are great for helping with dough. The kids will love the soft texture of the dough. They can easily help knead the dough or cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Another fun activity for kids is using a rolling pin to smooth out the dough. Don’t forget that not all cooking activities have to take place in the kitchen. Head outside with your kids to pick vegetables from the garden to prepare for a meal!
5-7 Year Olds
By this age, your kids will feel like professionals in the kitchen. They’re ready to show off their new math skills by measuring ingredients for recipes. They should also be able to help read from your recipe book. This is a great time to teach the kids how to cut with a small knife. This age is also great for introducing family traditions including how you set a table before a meal.
8-11 Year Olds
Kids that fall in this age are ready for a lot of responsibility. They may enjoy planning a meal from the family and following a simple recipe with little assistance. Depending on their skills in the kitchen, they may want to do the whole process by themselves! Always be sure to provide supervision even if the child ensures that they have things under control!