Cooking together with your kids is such a fantastic activity to do together. It's never too late, or too early, to begin the learning curve in the kitchen. Babies watch and absorb the activities of their surroundings. Naming foods aloud and hearing sounds in the kitchen will stimulate a baby's learning. Toddlers like to figure out how things work and learn from simple tasks such as pouring and mixing ingredients together. It may not be the tidiest task to take on, but don’t be afraid of making a mess!

School going children have better motor skills that allow them to crack eggs and measure ingredients. As they get older and more confident you can move on to activities like whisking, peeling and chopping. Getting your kids involved in the kitchen can help avoid them becoming a fussy eater later on in life. 

There are so many benefits when children are involved in the cooking process!

• Avoid Picky Eaters: Avoid your child becoming a picky eater later on in life by involving them in the kitchen when cooking. It is also hugely beneficial when trying to get picky eaters to try new foods. When we think of a picky or fussy eater we understand that the child is just afraid, sometimes terrified of new foods or even foods that they once ate. A great way to overcome this fear is to help prepare simple recipes in the kitchen. By touching and feeling different vegetables the child will become desensitized and is then more likely to try new things.
• Respect: Cooking gives a child respect for food and the provider. A meal does not just appear on the table. It takes time to prepare and if they understand this they will be much more likely to want to try it, and even finish it.
• Life Skills: Cooking is a life skill. As children grow and get closer to adulthood, the job of feeding becomes theirs, if they have learned from a young age they will be confident and able to take on the task themselves.
• Healthy Eating: With the practical side of cooking, children can find it easier to learn about nutrition and healthy eating while they're in the kitchen!
• Bonding Time: Having fun with your child and creating dinner ideas in the kitchen builds positive memories and is such a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.

With all the benefits of teaching your child to cook, what are you waiting for?
Get them into the kitchen with you today!

At Mummy Cooks, we have a wealth of advice on feeding your family. We cover everything from meal prep and slow cooker recipes to moving baby on to family foods and preparing food safely. So whether you're looking for quick and easy meal ideas or want to learn more about healthy eating, we've got you covered - Feeding the Family Advice page