Here's Why You Should Start Cooking With your Children

Most parents are apprehensive about involving their kids in the kitchen. They think of it as a dangerous place, not suitable for children. However, there are several benefits of cooking with your children, and learning about math and healthy eating habits is only the beginning.

Highlights

• Cooking with your kids is a fun activity that helps cement a strong bond and cherished memories with them

• It facilitates easy communication between parent and child in an environment that’s warm and carefree

• Cooking with children also teaches them a basic skill that will help them throughout life.

In a world where fast food chain restaurants and unhealthy eating habits are advertised so aggressively, teaching your child the art and importance of cooking should become a critical element of parenting.

Mentioned below are a few reasons why you should start cooking with your children:

1. Positive reinforcement

The kitchen is where you can make your kids understand that failing once does not necessarily have to mean that you drop it altogether. It means that you learn from it and make things better next time. Thus, cooking - a process that gives quick feedback - emphasizes on positive reinforcement.

2. Cooking facilitates communication

Cooking with kids offers you an opportunity to communicate with them. Talk about their day, about school or their weekly goals, about anything! Communication is an essential element of parenting, and especially important for raising well-adjusted children.

3. Mix math in the bowl

Measurements for the recipe requires division and fraction. You can let them calculate simple fractions like ½ cups and ¾ teaspoons. Your kids won’t even recognise that they are practicing math while cooking!

4. Cooking is a skill that assures independence

Kids depend on their parents for a cooked meal. Involving them in the kitchen will teach them the basics which they can further enhance as they start transitioning into adulthood. Cooking is one basic skill that will ensure they are self-sufficient and that they can look after themselves.

As you can see, cooking provides hand on experience in the kitchen, which helps children throughout their life. It introduces children to basic science, improves their comprehension skills and, most importantly, helps build eating habits healthy. Last, but not the least, It’s a fun activity that creates cherished memories as they’re growing up.

For more parenting tips, talk to a Jiva doctor. Dial 0129-4040404 or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in Jiva Health App.