To get kiddos cooking, we need to give them real tasks.
Cooking can be a chore. It can be a necessity. It can be a love. Whatever outlook we take on time in the kitchen, our kids pick up on it. That much I’ve been confident in for some time. But I recognized something else — something a little deeper — recently.
My son will be off school the day before Thanksgiving. So, I gave him the choice of attending his aftercare program to play with friends or helping me in the kitchen all day. He said he “definitely” wants to help me make Thanksgiving dinner.
So, we discussed what we might make that day. There are some musts for me — the cranberry sauce, any desserts, salad dressing, and cleaning and chopping veggies, for example. My son is very interested in making a pie (or two or three). I said we could probably do that, but I’ll buy the pie crust. (That’s one shortcut I’m A-OK with!)
“Why?” he asked. After all, he’s already made a pie crust. I explained that pie crust is tricky and we will have a lot to do that day.
“But MOMMY,” he said emphatically, “I will be there to help you.”
““But MOMMY,” he said emphatically, “I will be there to help you.””
Contributing Is Key
Part of what makes kids want to be in the kitchen is they want to be like you. They want to do what the grownups do. But I think part of it is also knowing they are actually contributing. For example, my son is all too happy to help me clean the backyard furniture, and he’ll gladly take the mop from me to help clean the kitchen.
The thing is my son has no idea that cooking is actually harder and takes longer with him there. (But we are getting very close to a time when he will be truly helpful. YAY!) He believes he is contributing — and that makes him feel good … He’s proud to be a part of making a meal. And that makes him want to keep doing it.
It makes sense. Who wants to do a job that is just for appearances or busywork?
3 Ways to Encourage Kiddos in the Kitchen
To encourage this pride in him, there are a few things I do:
I assign him tasks. There are certain responsibilities that my son has when we are cooking. He has supervision, of course, but I am not usually standing over him. I am nearby working on a separate (if related) task.
I say thank you. When we are done, I gush over his work — I show him I appreciate his help.
I encourage ownership. He’s encouraged to tell Daddy what we’re having for dinner and how he personally contributed to the meal.
These are not hard things to do, of course, but still, we don’t always do them. Forming positive memories in the kitchen is so important, and part of what keeps them coming back is knowing they are helping.
So, sure, on the day before Thanksgiving, meal prep will take longer, but my son will have memories — feelings — that will be ingrained for a lifetime. And so will I.
Catch Me on the EarthyB Podcast!
I shared some of this (and more) on the EarthyB Podcast with Rebecca Kimber. Her blog covers sustainability and circular economy stories, and I’m learning a lot reading them. She’s starting to write more about nutrition and food, and I’m all for more of those conversations.