At what age should I allow my child to cook?

Asked by kristir33 {153}
4/19/2010 1:22:38 AM

I am always looking for ways to introduce new foods to my kids and thought getting them involved in preparing the meals might help. What are some age-appropriate cooking tasks for a 6-year-old and an 11-year-old?

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Answered by Mom2Boys {165}
4/19/2010 1:24:37 PM

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My sisters and I were raised by our grandparents. Grandma ot us involved in cooking at a young age. We started out with simple tasks like breaking eggs, adding ingredients when she told us to, and setting the timer. They can do anything that does not carry a risk of injury, such as putting food into an oven or peeling vegetables. It is great to get kids involved in cooking. They will be more likely to try new foods, and you will instill a love of cooking that will last a lifetime.

This is exactly what I am doing with my daughter. Recently, I let her make her own mac'n cheese, of course, under my supervision. That helped her learn the basic of measuring too. - cameciob 4/19/2010 12:54:18 PM | Flag

That's right! I forgot about the math skills you can teach. - Mom2Boys 4/19/2010 3:02:13 PM | Flag

Teach them to wash their hands and them let them wash vegetables and fruit to get started. - smileandlearn 4/20/2010 12:02:24 AM | Flag

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	Comments from Facebook
		Donna Pifer Easy bake oven has so many recipes and its a good way to have them make it and they try new foods. Monday, December 13, 2010

		Drew Ventrella i let my 3 yr old cook with me all the time she loves mixing and knows how to crack open an egg and do all sorts of other things... Monday, December 13, 2010

		Michelle Reagin Around 2 years old let em start helping prepare some foods like add water or something small but my oldest son is 12 and he can cook a few different meals all by himself because I`ve been showing him for the last 3 years or so its a big help too! Monday, December 13, 2010

		Lacey Heiss I know personally, I have been able to cook using the stove since I was 8, but that was because I had to learn to survive so to speak. Being a SAHM I let my children bake with me, but as far as cook, I haven`t because from my angle I guess I just didn`t want them to have to be so responsible so early since I didn`t have a choice. But I guess since I am not giving them the choice either my way is just as bad. So thank you for bringing the topic up because I never really thought about it. And Monday, December 13, 2010

		Cheryl McGuire There are a lot of things 6 and 11 yr olds can do... They can mix stir measure . Your 11 yr old can even peel potatoes. One day sit at the computer and let them go through a recipe site and let them choose a recipe something easy and then go shopping with them and help them make it together..... I have been doing this with my Daughter since she was 10. Now Im doing it with my 3 yr old nephew. Hope this helps. Monday, December 13, 2010

		Tracie Durre you can also get kids cookbook i just bought my 9 year a High school musical one for her birthday they have recipes that kids can make with little to not adult help I don`t let her loose in the kitchen but it makes teaching her how to cook and bake easier since everything is in easy to understand terms and shows step by step how and what to do. My 10 and 9 year olds have been helping me cook and bake since they started school. i had them measure and coat the pans when they were little and adde Monday, December 13, 2010

		Meriah Ceja My 11 year old cook all the time. He is good at it too. Mama taught him well. And my daughter too 13yrs. Monday, December 13, 2010