What Concept Can Preschoolers Learn From Cooking Activities?

As a parent of kids in the under-5 set, you know how much preschoolers love to help. When you are trying to prepare a meal after a long day or bake a treat for someone special, it's often easier to redirect your children to another area. Watching and participating while you cook, though, can teach your little ones many concepts that will prepare them for school and life in general.

  1. Math

    • You can teach your children the principles of math by cooking together. Show them the different objects used for measuring ingredients and allow them to scoop or pour in various items. Explain the basics of cooking temperatures and times, letting them push buttons on the microwave, timer and oven, if possible. When the food is ready, show your kids how to divide it into portions, which teaches the concept of fractions.

    Reading

    • Your preschoolers might not be able to read yet, but cooking together can help them learn the concept and provide reading readiness. Find pictorial recipes (see Resources) that explain the ingredients with both text and images. Following these recipes with you helps your little ones learn the concept of moving from left to right and top to bottom. In addition, they might begin to recognize words as you read the directions to them.

    The Five Senses

    • Working with a variety of foods, spices and utensils is a way to engage all of your kids' senses. Ask about colors of bowls, measuring cups and vegetables. Allow them to hold an egg and then feel the white and yolk once you crack it. Persuade them to imitate the sound of the mixer or sizzling meat. Encourage them to smell each ingredient before adding it and taste at least a few bites of the finished product.

    Healthful Choices

    • You can use cooking activities as a way to begin teaching your little ones the concept of healthful eating. Kids are much more likely to eat foods they have helped prepare. Provide plastic or nylon knives and help them chop lettuce or crudites. Use utensils such as peelers, graters and mandolins to clean, shred and cut healthy foods together. Talk about where each ingredient comes from, explaining some of the benefits of foods that come from the ground. Your preschooler might begin to request more fruits and vegetables.

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