What age is best to teach your child to cook?

Question

I am only talking about making toast...beans on toast etc..and maybe helping me to cook a meal.

He is 7 years old, so obviously i am not expecting him to cook a meal by himself!!! Just wanted to know how old you think it's a good idea to start, and would it be safe for him to stir hot food in a pan?? w(ith me looking on-obviously).

Answer 1

I have an eight year old daughter. I try to get her involved as much as i can with cooking, whether it is making a salad, baking a cake or cooking sunday dinner.

She loves it and it makes her feel so grown up that she watches what she is doing. I have never had an accident yet ( with me watching her and helping her though!).

They can never be too young as long as you are careful

Answer 2

Your child is old enough if you think he is old enough. Every child is different. Does he listen well? Is he careful? Does he have good eye/hand coordination? If the answer to these questions is yes then certainly he is ready. I learned to cook scrambled eggs when I was 5. By 6 I could crack an egg with one hand. I would guess that most kids can start learning to cook long before that. You just have to watch him and see how much he can comprehend.

As for helping at a hot stove, at 7 he will probably be too short to stir food in a pan unless he is on a step-stool. Try having him stir cold things away from the stove first so that he can get used to standing on something while stirring. Once he has mastered that, stirring at the stove should be no problem.

Answer 3

It really probably is never to early to build vocabulary with what's in the refrigerator or shopping in the supermarket. Make meal planning a family event. When venturing through the grocery store explain the importance of having a variety of colored veges and fruits in your diet. This will peak their interest, hopefully to become an active participant in the process. Meal planning and preparation is a good start since the possibility exists that the toddler from 3-5 may still be too young to fully understand the consequences or dangers associated w/cooking. Another thing to consider is that not all kitchens are kid-friendly by design. My cooking consisted of Kool-Aid and chocolate chip cookies at about 7 or 8, but my sister had the Betty Crocker oven that was a useful tool to get the general idea how to follow directions. Use your best judgment. As a parent, you understand your child's abilities sometimes better than anyone else. Good luck!

Answer 4

I was cooking with my mom at age 2 1/2. I did toast, mixed eggs, mixed pancake batter, and a few other things. by age 4 I was boiling water for hot dogs, and cooking bacon on the stove. (my mom was always with me of course). by age 7 I could make a meal with very little help. (my mom would sit in the dinning room and read while I cooked). at 8 I started baking a lot. bread was my best dish. by age 10 I was able to do a complete 3 course dinner with out my mom at all. at 12 I started to compete in baking contests. I entered the state fair and won 2nd in both cakes, and breads. now at 17 I am getting ready to go to culinary school.

start teaching as early as posable. he can do a lot at 7. toast is for 3 year olds.

Answer 5

He should be alright to start cooking now. Obviously start with some simple things; like fairy cakes. He can start to stir with you helping,and he can decorate the cakes with icing which he would enjoy. If you are making a big meal, like a pasta, maybe he can stir the sauce while you boil the pasta or something like that. Small activities like these are probably the most suitable, until you get more comfortable with him in the kitchen.

Answer 6

There are many different microwave meals directed at kids because it is so easy once they know numbers and basic heat safety. Topics to touch on with your child before cooking begins: Heat injuries (DONT PUT BUTTER or other kitchen food on a burn, rinse with cool water. If it is a mild burn , use aloe vera and a light dressing, anything worse see a doctor.)
What to do in case of fire, or even just the smoke detector goes off. What steam is, and why it is even more dangerous than the boiling water because it is hotter. Teach about oil fires (DONT try to put these kind out with water).
I enjoy including my kids in all the everyday tasks and cooking is no different. Start with letting them crack eggs, fish out the shells, scramble them and pour them onto the pan. Making pizza or other baked goods can be a slightly safer alternative to stove top cooking.

Answer 7

yes 7 is fine. I have 2 boys 9 and 12 and they both have always helped me cook. My 12 year old can cook some things better than I can, like scrambled eggs. You may want to get a stable step for them to stand on so it wont be so likely that they are to short and burn them selves. I have never had a cooking problem with my boys, never burnt or anything. Oh you may want to get a little fire extinguisher to keep under the sink just in case. Also let them know things to do if they do burn them selves, like putting butter or mustard on the burn.
Good luck

Answer 8

My 4 year old helps me prepare the meals. She will get the eggs or milk out. My older boys ages 8 and 12 love to help and if I would let him(too afraid) my 12 year old an make a mean spaghetti. He knows what ingredients are needed. I love to Cook with my kids at any age. it is a great bonding experience.

Answer 9

yeah 7 is fine for things like toast and stirring as long as ur watching him it should be fine the earlier they learn the more they will be able to adapt when theyre older and having to cook for themselfs anyway and u never know in a few yars he might be able to make u meals on ur birthday and mothers day lol good luck xx

Answer 10

yes I think children can learn many thing´s only by helping mum in the kitchen at a very young age , as long as they can stand on there own ,of course with mum be hide them, washing the dishes all that sort of thing .Also it´s good for children to learn about different kind´s of food´s , how they help there body´s what food´s are good for . yes get the apron on . I think 7 is a fine age. my son learned how to iron at the age of 8, so the more they learn the better for them