Cooking – A Skill for Every Age
The age of your child will determine what they can do to help in the kitchen. Matching their skill level with cooking duties will help instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. It is also a great way to teach them about nutrition and food safety. It also provides an opportunity to teach subjects, such as language, math, and science, jut to name a few. Check out our last blog Family Fun in the Kitchen to find out more.
Here are how cooking skills are broken down by age.
Four-year-olds can:
- Wash fruits and veggies
- Stir ingredients in a bowl
- Help you pour liquids
- Tear lettuce
- Grease pans
- Open packages
Five to six-year-olds can:
- Chop fresh herbs with child-friendly scissors
- Cut soft foods with a dull knife
- Toss salads
- Measure ingredients
- Set the table
- Peel oranges and soft-boiled eggs
- Open packages
- Stir cake and muffin mixes
Seven- to eight-year-olds can:
- Pour muffin and cake mix into pans
- Spoon and shape cookies
- Beat ingredients with a whisk
- Mash potatoes or other vegetables
- Make sandwiches
- Find ingredients in the cabinet
Nine- to 12-year-olds can:
- Open cans
- Use the microwave
- Prepare kid-friendly recipes
- Shred cheese
- Peel vegetables
- Use an oven with supervision
- Use a knife with supervision
- Stir sauces
- Help with clean up
- Help with meal planning
Breakfast preparation is a great place to start teaching, as there a many simple yet healthy breakfast recipes to pick from. Here is a breakfast burrito recipe my family enjoys making and eating, regularly.
Breakfast Burrito
Ingredients
2 Eggs
1 Tbsp Milk
2 Green onions, chopped
½ Red or green bell pepper, diced
Pinch each salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
2 Small whole wheat tortillas
Directions
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Stir in onion, pepper, salt and pepper
- Spray a small non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium low heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet and as egg begins to set, use a spatula to gently push cooked portions to the centre. Tilt pan to allow uncooked eggs to flow into empty spaces.
- Sprinkle with cheese and cook for 1 minute or until eggs are set and cheese is melted.
- Divide egg in two and place each half onto a tortilla. Roll up to enjoy.
This recipe has been used with permission from Dietitians of Canada. Get easy to understand information on food, healthy eating and disease prevention along with award-winning recipes at www.unlockfood.ca.
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