Children love to be helpers in the kitchen. Giving them an opportunity to shop for foods or pick out food for meals makes them feel special and they can enjoy preparing and serving food to their family. Here are some reasons to start cooking with your kids!

1. Cooking builds self-esteem. Helping in the kitchen helps to build confidence and helps kids learn skills of independence. Kids will feel a sense of accomplishment and importance when they help prepare food. Allowing them to participate in family tasks lets them feel that they belong in the family.

2. Cooking teaches. Being in the kitchen is an opportunity for kids to measure, count and observe the changing properties of food. These are simple math and science skills your kids can have fun learning. They can also learn new words and symbols through cooking. Inform your kids about the food your cooking and allow them to learn about the nutritional importance of the foods you’re cooking. Motor skills can also be improved when your child uses his or her hands to help with kitchen tasks. And cleaning up teaches responsibility!

3. Cooking can be family time. Cooking with your kids offers the chance to create closer bonds and memories with your kids. It can be a time to talk and listen to issues in your child’s life.

Make sure to go over safety rules for cooking with your kids, such as washing hands, avoiding nibbling on raw food like cookie dough, staying away from hot surfaces and sharp utensils and trying to be careful to avoid spills!

Don’t worry about kids making a mess in the kitchen; it’s bound to happen! Young kids don’t have the same muscle coordination as adults, so be prepared to get messy. The mess is worth the opportunity to teach and bond with your children.