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Parents are often looking for recommendations for fun family activities that could enrich their child’s life. Often, the best options can be found right at home.
Have you ever thought about involving your child in the kitchen? Activities such as preparing dinner, making a snack, or trying out a new recipe together can be a great start!

Cooking Skills and MORE

We all know that cooking teaches essential skills like measuring ingredients, following the sequence of steps in a recipe, and using various kitchen tools and equipment. Cooking provides an opportunity for children to learn how to handle utensils, chop vegetables, and stir batter. However, cooking offers far more than just the ability for your child to prepare meals for themselves and the family.

The kitchen is also an excellent place for sensory exploration – touching sticky textures (like dough) and experiencing various temperatures. Children with sensitivities to touch, taste, and smell, including those often described as "picky eaters," can benefit from this exposure, provided it allows them to explore at their own pace. This multi-sensory experience can expand their palate or help accommodate their specific support needs. For example, they may discover that wearing gloves can help their ability to handle certain textures.

The kitchen is not just a place for culinary adventures, it's also a classroom for safety. It's a perfect setting to teach children about the importance of being aware of extreme temperatures, sharp objects, breakables, and heavy items.

If you have concerns about kitchen safety, rest assured that there are kid-friendly tools like knives and scissors, non-slip cutting boards, and step stools available. You can gradually introduce them to heated tools, based on your and your child’s comfort level. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate how to safely use the oven, stove, or air fryer.

The Beauty of Cooking at Home

One of the best things about cooking with your kids in the kitchen is that you can make this a space for them to explore, make mistakes, and learn in a safe and familiar environment. When things get messy, spills happen, hands get sticky, or something breaks accidentally, allowing them to experience the natural consequences, teaches cause and effect. Initially, holding back immediate corrective feedback and allowing them to do it themselves allows them to learn and adjust. This approach builds their confidence and kitchen skills and reinforces your role as a trusted adult they can rely on for guidance.

These moments in the kitchen become cherished family stories, offering a chance to share the joy of creating something. Children witness firsthand how to communicate and how cooperation leads to a delicious end product. When families cook together, they learn to work as a team. 

As children grow more comfortable in the kitchen, they gain independence. Learning to prepare meals for themselves is an essential life skill throughout their lifespan. The confidence they earn from these experiences extends beyond the kitchen and may contribute to overall self-esteem. If cooking is an accessible skill for your child, there are benefits to starting early and introducing them to the kitchen, especially if this is an area of interest.

By making cooking a shared family activity, you not only impart essential life skills to your children but also create a nurturing environment. So, roll up your sleeves, grab those aprons, and enjoy the many rewards of cooking together!

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Theresa is a Registered Occupational Therapist with experience working with children, youth, and adults with neurological differences in the private school, clinic, and community settings. She received her Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, she worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician. She is also a writer and consultant who offers her specialized knowledge to websites and companies serving the neurodiverse community.