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