What child doesn't like to cook? A kitchen is an ideal place for young children and adolescents to learn, or hone, their math, geography, and science skills. Working together in a home environment not only contributes to a child’s education in a more interactive and fun way; it is also a way for parents, other caregivers, and children to spend time together. You will also be creating memories that will stick in their minds forever.

Involving kids in every step gives them a sense of importance.

Let children help choose something to make for lunch or dinner during the week or breakfast on the weekend. The public library and local bookstores carry a variety of cookbooks with easy recipes for kids, and websites have recipes that are easy for children to make. Although I will be the first to admit I love my internet, when planning to make something with my now twelve-year-old grandson, we go to the library for a recipe book. It’s more fun that way and gets me a little exercise. If downloading a recipe from a website, make the font larger before printing.

After deciding what to make, whether it is a baked good, something for lunch or dinner, or even a salad, it is time to get everything ready. Take your young chef(s) along to the store if you need to purchase items for the project. While there, encourage young children who are learning to read to try and read the labels, and assist them in sounding out words as this is also a good literacy activity.

Selecting fresh produce is ideal for a lesson in science and geography.

If recipes require fresh fruits and vegetables, show children how to determine the ripeness and quality of the produce. For a geography lesson, engage children in a conversation about whether fruits or vegetables are seasonal, where they are grown and harvested, and if they began as a seed or root. Was the produce grown under or above ground? For younger children, keep information simple and brief, as they have a shorter attention span and are more easily sidetracked.

Consider a child's age before assigning tasks.

Younger children can get out measuring spoons or cups, bowls to mix ingredients in, slotted or other spoons for stirring, etc. Make sure to get hard to reach items down for them. For baked goods, help children set out flour, sugar, spices, and other ingredients. Plastic measuring cups, bowls, etc. should be used if possible. Have adolescents do the measuring and empty ingredients into a bowl or pan, assisting if needed. Talk to them about how a cup is broken down into smaller units, and how gallons, ounces, and whole numbers are also broken down. This is especially helpful for adolescents who are learning fractions and geometry in school.

Talk about the different ingredients. You might explain how flour is made and what grain it comes from, where sugar comes from and how it is processed, and where the maple comes from for making maple syrup. And if you buy gluten-free or organic items, help your children understand why you prefer organic fruits and vegetables and the benefits to their health. It is never too early to teach children about the importance of food safety and healthy food.

Safety Tips for Kids when Preparing Food and Cooking

Of course, there is a limit to what younger children should be allowed to do. Helping make a salad, mixing cookie dough and scooping it out onto a baking sheet, rolling pieces of meat in crumbs or flour and laying them in a pan can be done by children of all ages. Young children can also use an electric chopper, blender, or food processor with guidance. Adults should do any cutting or peeling if a sharp implement or knife will be used, and avoid letting children take a pan in or out of a hot oven, or put food into boiling water or a hot frying pan.

The end result will be a nice meal or snack to share with the whole family and enjoy what was a team effort. Don't forget to tell the kids how good the food is and that you couldn't have done it without them.