Making Memories in the Kitchen

     What pops into your head when you hear the words making memories? Is it family movie nights? Taco Tuesdays together? Summer trips to the pool? Family vacations? Walking your children to school in the mornings? What about making memories in the kitchen? Did that pop in your head? Don’t worry if it didn’t, because it didn’t for me either! When I was growing up, cooking was something my mom just did, and I wasn’t usually a part of it—except to eat it. Now with four children of my own, I end up using the time spent cooking dinner or being in the kitchen as “me” time … a time to have a bit of quiet from the day while our kids are otherwise engaged. However, I’ve realized I may need to reevaluate this thought process because there are so many benefits to having your kids help you in the kitchen!

Reading, math, science and more!

The first of many benefits is the obvious: Cooking with kids helps them in math, science and reading. Your children can read numbers in the recipe if they are younger, while older children can measure out ingredients, and older teens can manage the math involved with doubling recipes or converting measurements. Cooking and baking can seem a little like a science experiment to children, too. Let them make a hypothesis about what will happen when they mix ingredients together or let them watch ingredients change before their eyes (like melting). Your children can also read the recipes and instructions, which can enhance language development and vocabulary, as they are being exposed to new words.

Motor skills

Did you realize being in the kitchen can help your children, in particular younger ones, with motor skills? Think of all the mixing, stirring, dough rolling, spreading, pouring, chopping, squeezing and more that is done in the kitchen! This is so good for their little hands and muscles, which they’ll need later for writing, coloring and cutting. For older children, flipping pancakes, dicing veggies or portioning out muffin batter are great ways to continue working on this strength and coordination.

Basic skills

Being in the kitchen together is a wonderful, real-life way for children to learn basic life skills such as food and kitchen safety. While you work, you can teach concepts such as which knife to use for the best and safest cutting, what safety practices to use around appliances like ovens, mixers and microwaves, or how to safely handle and properly clean things when using raw meat.

Family time

Making meals at home together can create a relaxed, nonthreatening family bonding time where everyone can visit in a casual way. In some households, the kitchen is the connection point or hub, the gathering spot, if you will. Why not invite your teen into this space with you to hang out while you are cooking? Culinary togetherness can also give you an opportunity to share family traditions centered on food or those secret family recipes that have been passed down for generations. If you are like me and don’t really have these, consider starting your own! Although I don’t usually include our own children in everyday cooking, I do enjoy baking with them and creating yearly traditions. Some we have started over the years are Super Bowl cookies, chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day, Resurrection rolls for Easter and holiday cookies.

Healthy choices

Did you know that children are more likely to eat a meal they have helped prepare? Cooking in the kitchen together will not only encourage your children to try what they have helped make, but gives you an opportunity to have conversations about healthy eating choices. You can take it a step farther with older children and discuss the monetary benefits of eating at home versus eating out.

Amy Moss, Overland Park mom of three, shares, “My oldest daughter showed an interest in cooking, so we started doing Raddish Kids, a monthly cooking subscription box. I found it allowed her to start feeling more confident and independent in the kitchen, but also she became more interested in trying new foods. She continues to be more and more independent in the kitchen (without the kits now) and offers to help me now, too!”

Self-confidence, independence and responsibility booster

Perhaps one of the benefits you may not think about is improving your child’s self-confidence and independence. Cooking also creates a sense of ownership and pride, as well as responsibility. Nicole Cook, Overland Park mom of two, shares, “Cooking with my youngest son has blossomed his self-esteem beyond measure. Even being able to put together just a few select dishes, he comes to me and asks if he can cook for the family. He relishes in the culinary process and even goes outside his comfort zone to experiment with adding something new in the dish he’s preparing. Now if only I can convince him that cleaning up is just as fun!”

     Cooking with kids may feel like an insurmountable task or like just one more thing to fit in. I also realize for many moms, the 5 o’clock hour is really tough … kids are melting down, and you are overstimulated by that point. So perhaps the manageable option is to have your child help you meal prep on the weekend or make lunch together on Saturdays. If that even feels like too much in between busy sports schedules, wait until summer break. For now, you can simply make a snack together or build in one meal a week that can be cooked together. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The experience should feel like something helpful or enjoyable, not a task or chore. Whatever way you can, try to get your children involved. Maybe, if you’re like me, it will look like just letting someone else in the kitchen to be with you while you are doing the cooking. After all, we are about progress, not perfection. 🙂

Julie Collett writes from her home in Overland Park where she has difficulty letting her kids help in the kitchen but is committed to trying!