| It is said that cooking is an art. Like most | | | | and the proper measuring cup for each. This |
| art forms, a person can have some natural | | | | is important with baking, which is more a |
| talent, but there's a whole lot of learning | | | | science than an art. |
| and experiencing that has to happen before | | | | |
| they're any good at it. Cooking is no | | | | 4. Show your kids where you keep everything |
| exception. First, children need to be | | | | in your kitchen. Give them a tour! Even |
| exposed to good cooking, so they can | | | | after you've done this, they'll still ask |
| appreciate the differences, then they need to | | | | where something is kept. The best way to |
| be given the chance to try cooking | | | | overcome this is to have them repeatedly put |
| themselves. | | | | away the clean dishes from the dishwasher. |
| | | | |
| They need to learn the basics, through your | | | | 5. Show them how to use a knife. Tell them |
| instruction or a kids' cooking class, and | | | | not to run with knives or turn around quickly |
| they need to practice, practice, practice. | | | | with knives when someone else is in the |
| Making spaghetti one time won't do it; they | | | | kitchen with you. They shouldn't try to |
| need to make spaghetti several times. One | | | | catch a knife if they drop it. These are |
| reason is so they can remember how to do it | | | | probably self-explanatory. |
| and the other is so they can learn to add or | | | | |
| take away from the recipe to improve it. You | | | | 6. Explain other safety issues such as |
| want them to be able to branch out from a | | | | cleaning up the floor if they spill (but not |
| recipe and become a true chef. | | | | with the sponge you use on the dishes) so no |
| | | | one slips, washing their hands, using |
| As far as the learning goes, here are a few | | | | potholders, turning the pot handles inwards |
| tips to start your kids off on the right foot | | | | on the stovetop, cook all meat thoroughly, |
| when you're the teacher: | | | | etc. Don't assume they know kitchen safety. |
| | | | |
| 1. Show them how to read a recipe. This | | | | 7. Turn off the TV so there are no |
| isn't hard; just take out a few recipes and | | | | distractions. This is a time to work |
| go over them. Explain the road map of the | | | | together and maybe talk! |
| recipe and point out where information like | | | | |
| ingredients, utensils needed, cooking | | | | Your child will probably need a lot of help |
| temperature, directions, and prep time is | | | | when they first start out, but that will |
| located. Pick an easy recipe or one for | | | | change the more they cook. Don't be afraid |
| their favorite dish to start with. | | | | of a messy kitchen. You may even want to do |
| | | | the dishes for them so they're not so |
| 2. Make sure there is enough time to make | | | | overwhelmed or turned off. Keep giving them |
| the dish. If you are rushed, it won't be a | | | | a chance to create in the kitchen and you |
| pleasurable experience for either of you. | | | | will be amazed at how fast they learn to put |
| | | | a meal on the table. Now that's a beautiful |
| 3. Explain what wet and dry ingredients are | | | | thing! |