Why should you teach your children how to cook simply?
Learning about nutrition and healthy eating habits early in life helps set good lifelong patterns. Children who learn to cook from home tend to consume healthier diets than those who do not. Children who grow up learning to cook are less likely to become obese later in life. In fact, research shows that obesity rates among adults drop by 10% when parents begin teaching their children basic skills such as measuring ingredients and following directions.
How to encourage your kids to start cooking
If you want to get your children inside the kitchen more often, here are some tips:
- Make it fun! Get them involved in choosing recipes and decorating their own meals. They will be much more likely to eat what they have helped prepare if they enjoy doing so.
- Let them help with prep work first. Have a child wash lettuce or carrots while you make dinner. Then let them choose which vegetables they want to be cut up next. This teaches self-control as well as responsibility for one's actions.
- Get creative. If you can't find an activity that both of you like, try something new together. You might even consider signing up for classes at local community centers or schools where you live. There is always someone willing to teach a class on how to cook healthy foods, but there may not be any available right now.
- Cooking should also be part of family time. It doesn't need to take hours; just spend 15 minutes preparing a meal once every two weeks.
To help you on this journey, here are some simple recipes kids can make on their own.