Learning how to cook is a life skill that comes in handy for many reasons. For starters, it’s something that’ll help ensure that you know how to feed yourself. In other cases, it also becomes a way for you to learn how to prepare different dishes. This helps add variety to your diet. With that in mind, teaching your child how to cook is probably one thing that many parents want to teach them.
In this article, we’ll be showing you what age-appropriate kitchen skills you can teach your little one. That way, you’ll help get them on their way to becoming more proficient in the kitchen. As a result, you’ll worry less about whether your child will be able to feed themselves as they get older, among many other things.
Ages 3 to 5 Years Old
Children can become easier to talk to by the time they reach 3. They understand instructions properly and also know how to communicate. So, this is around the ideal time to get them started in the kitchen.
For a child between the ages of 3 to 5, teaching them something as simple as learning how to wash their hands before preparing food or eating is perfect. Along with that, washing utensils is another great thing to teach them. You can also have them help you with washing fruits and veggies. Teaching them how to mix things like batter or simple salads is another thing that kids their age can handle. Your little one can also learn how to make a simple sandwich with pre-prepared ingredients.
Ages 6 to 8 Years Old
By this age, your little one’s already in grade school. You can be sure that they’ll be able to follow more complex commands and also be better communicators. Aside from that, their motor skills will also be more refined.
You can have them crack eggs for you, stir thicker mixes or batters, and even start using peelers for vegetables. You can also teach them how to prep things like the pans, skillets, baking pans and even oiling them or buttering them. If you think your kid is responsible enough, you can also have them slice and chop things like fruits, vegetables, and softer foods.
Ages 9 to 12 Years Old
By the time they reach this age, your children will definitely be more competent in the kitchen. In some cases, they’ll actually be able to work in a kitchen with minimal supervision. So, you can give them more complex tasks with confidence.
You can help them hone their skills with a kitchen knife by letting them cut a whole variety of ingredients, maybe even letting them finely chop or dice some things. You can also get them more involved in the actual cooking process. So, you can teach them to saute or fry things like ground meats, boil things like pasta, and let sauces simmer. You can also let them learn how to use the microwave first if the stove is something you believe they aren’t ready for. In most cases, they’ll be able to follow a recipe on their own.
Ages 13 and Up
Once they’re at this age, they’ve essentially got all the basic cooking skills down. So, you can move on to more advanced things such as baking, working some kitchen appliances, or doing more kitchen-related knifework. You can also entrust them to wash a variety of the things you use in the kitchen, from the plates and utensils to the knives, spatulas, and pans.
Teaching your child their way around the kitchen can help them learn how to cook and, eventually, feed themselves. However, kitchen skills aren’t learned in a day. They’re learned over time. Fortunately, getting your little one started in the kitchen is possible. You need only help them by giving them tasks that are more appropriate for their age. Before you know it, you could even have yourself a little chef at home!
