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What age to teach children to cook?
Posted on 6/5/15 at 10:31 am
Posted on 6/5/15 at 10:31 am
I was 9 when I watched my dad make gumbo. He didn't want me to help..just watch him. When I was a young adult I could make gumbo without any recipes because I remembered what my dad did.
My grandson is coming to spend the weekend. He's 7. Is that too young to expect him to absorb the technique? If so, should I allow him to help (obviously no knives).
I didn't show my son how to cook Cajun food when he was young and he still doesn't know how.
My grandson is coming to spend the weekend. He's 7. Is that too young to expect him to absorb the technique? If so, should I allow him to help (obviously no knives).
I didn't show my son how to cook Cajun food when he was young and he still doesn't know how.
11
Posted on 6/5/15 at 10:34 am to Zach
Actually cook? As in on their own?
Or just help out?
My son started helping mix ingredients at around 20 months. I've also let him stir the scrambled eggs a bit while they were cooking, but he lost interest real quick.
Or just help out?
My son started helping mix ingredients at around 20 months. I've also let him stir the scrambled eggs a bit while they were cooking, but he lost interest real quick.
Posted on 6/5/15 at 10:34 am to Zach
Why wouldn't you allow them to help you cook? Age really doesn't matter in my opinion, sometimes it's just about spending quality time with your kids and grandkids. Don't worry about how much they may or may not absorb, just have a good time with them.
Posted on 6/5/15 at 11:17 am to Zach
1. As soon as they are able to understand the "dangers", i.e. the heat and the sharpness of the utensils.
2. Once they WANT to learn. That can be encouraged though. I think its important for kids to learn to cook. I learned watching my great grandmother and then practiced it as hunting/fishing camps. I'm not a great cook, but I can make a mean gumbo and rice and gravy. My son is starting to get interested so I call him into the kitchen every time I start. Sometimes he helps, sometimes he does his kid thing.
2. Once they WANT to learn. That can be encouraged though. I think its important for kids to learn to cook. I learned watching my great grandmother and then practiced it as hunting/fishing camps. I'm not a great cook, but I can make a mean gumbo and rice and gravy. My son is starting to get interested so I call him into the kitchen every time I start. Sometimes he helps, sometimes he does his kid thing.
Posted on 6/5/15 at 11:43 am to Zach
He will absorb more information and technique than you think. They are like sponges. Plus he will likely have a lot of fun and kids that age usually like to feel needed and help out in any way
Posted on 6/5/15 at 11:50 am to Zach
My two year old pulls up a chair to watch me cook each day. He isn't helping yet, but wants to. He does scramble the eggs and mix batter for baked goods
Posted on 6/5/15 at 11:59 am to Zach
Not sure I'd start with stirring the roux. One bad splash that the child will be burned and crying and will not recall that as a positive experience. Watching someone make gumbo before having done much else is pretty boring.
I usually start with breakfast items and, in particular, French toast. Cracking the eggs, measuring the ingredients, whisking etc...lots a kid can do and all the kids I've had cooking with me love French toast made with French bread. You can go to your favorite old bread and cookie display and buy some day old French bread. I sometimes slice it the night before and leave the slices in the oven (not turned on) overnight to dry them out a bit more.
Same with making waffles or pancakes. It involves the measuring, stirring etc... so there are activities the child can do himself. Cracking eggs was always an exciting start. I think it thrills kids to be able to do that.
I had some kids cookbooks around that gave me ideas on other things.
I usually start with breakfast items and, in particular, French toast. Cracking the eggs, measuring the ingredients, whisking etc...lots a kid can do and all the kids I've had cooking with me love French toast made with French bread. You can go to your favorite old bread and cookie display and buy some day old French bread. I sometimes slice it the night before and leave the slices in the oven (not turned on) overnight to dry them out a bit more.
Same with making waffles or pancakes. It involves the measuring, stirring etc... so there are activities the child can do himself. Cracking eggs was always an exciting start. I think it thrills kids to be able to do that.
I had some kids cookbooks around that gave me ideas on other things.
Posted on 6/5/15 at 8:45 pm to Zach
My kids are 10 and 9 and both of them can scramble eggs, bake cookies, grilled cheese. My so has made a roux before and if they show interest I allow them to help in the kitchen. Just tonight my son made hamburger patties. My daughter peels her own cucumbers.
I think having a 7yo watch you cook is good bonding time..... dont force it upon him though.
I think having a 7yo watch you cook is good bonding time..... dont force it upon him though.
Posted on 6/5/15 at 11:42 pm to Zach
My boys (7&5) always help do pancakes and the like. When master chef jr came on they both got even more excited about it. He doesn't get to use on many things yet and is still obviously working on technique, but the 7 year old got this knife for his birthday. It's pretty well thought out and easy to use. No cuts yet, but if I wasn't watching he may be down a thumb, even with the guard.
This post was edited on 6/5/15 at 11:45 pm
Posted on 6/6/15 at 9:09 am to Zach
As far back as I can remember I was always in the kitchen with my parents or grandparents watching. When they finally started letting me help I already knew most of the steps.
There's no such thing as too young to be in the kitchen.
There's no such thing as too young to be in the kitchen.
Posted on 6/6/15 at 11:29 am to Zach
stirring is usually a good starting point
Posted on 6/7/15 at 4:13 pm to Zach
I can't remember an age when I wasn't "helping" in my grandmother's kitchen (mom doesn't cook near as much as she does). It just started with simple stuff like stirring, helping decorate cakes/cookies, etc. Then just progressed as I got holder with what I could handle at that respective age. You can usually tell pretty quick what a kid can/can't handle once they start working with you in the kitchen. Some do better at certain ages than others.
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