Teaching your kids to cook helps them develop highly transferable skills, from how to do basic math (used for measuring ingredients) to how to see a project through from beginning to end. It teaches them patience, because cooking has its own timeline and can’t be rushed—trying to do so usually ends in a less-than-desirable (and sometimes less-than-edible) result.
But most importantly, cooking with your kids is a great opportunity to bond and teach kids to be independent individuals. Kids in the kitchen is an opportunity to introduce youth to new ingredients, encourage creativity and develop responsibility. When you take them shopping with you for ingredients, you can show them how to read product labels and stay within budget. Kids who cook become adults who cook and eat healthier than those who don’t. Cooking with your kids not only brings your family together, but it can also give them the gift of a lifetime of health and responsibility.
