Cooking
With
Children
Cooking with Children
Remember - Children will usually be able to only focus on one step at a time.
Each ingredient should be wonderful to explore… and children should be allowed to do so. Cooking projects should be a hands-on, sensory experience.
The recipe must be flexible to allow for some inaccurate counting and measuring.
To promote literacy, recipe should have both pictures and print – to enable children to follow along.
A routine must be established to be followed throughout the year for cooking projects… with handwashing being the first step.
Recipes should involve actions. Each child should be able to actively participate, if they choose to.
Be prepared for participation – ensure that there are sufficient ingredients and utensils.
Because children typically are unable to follow the transformation properties, the process of baking should be explained in simple terms.
Parallels between home and school should be encouraged and discussed.
The more opportunities for hands-on involvement by children, the more meaningful and of value the project.
Open-ended questions to promote thinking should be made throughout process.
Cooking experiences should not be restricted to gender. Address any comments that children may make about cooking being “for girls.”
Have all ingredients on hand and organized prior to starting project… as well as ‘extra’ in the event there is a mishap of some kind.
Allow ample time, so that children do not need to be rushed.
When I am cooking, I am measuring, comparing, counting,
classifying, and experiencing how properties of things change.
I am role-playing, learning more about my world
and experiencing different cultures!
Jessica Jane
Jessica Jane is the kind of cook
Who doesn’t need a recipe book.
Little trouble indeed she takes
When she makes puddings and pies and cakes.
With a twist of her wrist and a pat-a-pat
She turns them out in a row – like that!
There in a row in the summer sun
They bake and bake til they’re all done.
Grocery problems are not for her –
She has plenty of mud and a stick to stir!
By May Justus
Books on Cooking with Children/Cookbooks
Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook (Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen) by Jennifer Dorland DarlingBetty Crocker Kids Cook! by Betty Crocker
Everything Kids' Cookbook: From Mac ' N Cheese to Double Chocolate Chip Cookies-All You Need to Have Some Finger Lickin' Fun (Everything Kids Series) by Sandra, M.S., R.D.
Children's Quick And Easy Cookbook
by Angela Wilkes
Dk Children's Cookbook
by Katharine Ibbs, Howard Shooter
A First Cookbook for Children: With Illustrations to Color)
by Evelyne Johnson, Christopher Santoro
The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Children's Cookbook
by Marianne Zanzarella, Tom Eckerle
The Boxcar Children Cookbook
by Diane Blain
Passport on a Plate : A Round-the-World Cookbook for Children
by Diane Simone Vezza, Susan Greenstein (Illustrator)
Look and Cook: A Cookbook for Children
by Tina Davis
Children's Step-by-Step Cookbook
by Angela Wilkes
Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook (Children's World Cookbook)
by Anne Millard
Other related ideas:
-Make a sequencing activity, illustrating the steps for cooking a specific dish
-Make a classroom recipe book, with parents each bringing in a favorite recipe
-Research famous chefs, or the many ways people can cook
-Use mealtime as an opportunity for discussion and developing thinking skills
-Tie in nutritional concepts, and expand upon with related activities
-Create a spice smelling activity
-Have a “Taste Test” and chart/graph children’s favorites
-Let children practice and experience using measuring utensils (in sand, water play, etc.)
-Make a related concept activity using pictures, reinforcing empty/full; hot/cold; raw/cooked; etc.
-Make a fruit/veggie sorting activity
-Take a field trip to purchase ingredients