If you’re a mom, you’ve likely experienced this scenario - your little ones come bustling into the kitchen, eager to lend a helping hand. But often, fearing that they might make a mess in the kitchen, your immediate reaction may be, “What are you doing here? This is not your place! Get out!"

Kids are naturally curious, and it’s up to us - their parents or caregivers, to nurture that innate desire for discovery. Albeit not a common practice in Myanmar, involving kids in cooking at home is a great way to engage kids. Let’s explore the benefits of cooking with kids in this article.

Kitchen is A Classroom

“Add one teaspoon of soy sauce and a pinch of salt.” Math and language is such a natural part of cooking - your kids can learn measurement and vocabulary through cooking instructions. Besides, getting your kids to help with simple tasks such as mixing the dough, peeling a garlic and cracking an egg allows them to explore different textures and develop fine motor skills.

Develop Creativity

Cooking is an art. There are many ways to encourage creativity in the kitchen - from thinking of a dish to prepare, customising the recipe according to their preference, to decorating the dish the way they like. Give your little ones the freedom to explore and be creative in the kitchen!

Improve Concentration

According to research from the US National Library of Medicine, our average attention span decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8.25 seconds in 2015, largely due to increased social media use. Encouraging kids in engaging activities such as cooking, while limiting screen time, can nurture their ability to focus in the long run. However, remember to respect their attention span. Forcing them to stay past their attention span may result in them disliking the activity and become counter-productive.

Boosting Self-Confidence

During the food preparation process, we provide instructions for kids to follow, such as peeling onions, garlic, adding seasonings to dishes, washing vegetables, and patiently waiting for meals to cook. When they successfully complete a given task, we can offer a simple compliment to make them feel wonderful and boost their confidence.

Acquiring A Life Skill

Cooking is considered a life skill because it equips individuals the ability to prepare their own meals, promoting independence and self-sufficiency. Teaching kids to cook from a young age is beneficial as it helps them develop essential skills, fosters healthy eating habits, and instils a sense of responsibility that they can carry into adulthood.

Family Bonding

Cooking alongside your kids enables you to share memories associated with certain foods or dishes. Besides, working together to accomplish something, such as preparing a meal, can allow them to understand the importance of teamwork, which is beneficial in the long run.

Involving kids in the kitchen offers a host of benefits that extend far beyond mealtime. From fostering valuable life skills to nurturing creativity, the kitchen becomes a space for learning, creating joy and shared experiences. To begin, plan a trip to the nearest market with your little ones to get everything you need for a cookout!