FAQ

Why should I encourage my child to help cook meals?

Children can be very picky eaters, especially when they are forced to eat. A better and more nutritious way to get your child to eat well is to let them cook their own meals!

What Children Gain from Cooking:

• Creativity and a sense of accomplishment.

• Confidence and a higher self-esteem (feel like they accomplished something).

• Basic math skills (from using measuring cups, counting foods, and following cooking steps).

• Basic reading skills (reading simple recipes).

• Science awareness (learning how to observe the cause and effect of adding ingredients).

• Motor skills; learning hand-eye coordination.

• Physical activity (stirring the batter, squeezing a lemon, kneading dough).

• Patience and learning self-control (waiting while food cooks, reading directions carefully).

• A feeling of teamwork.

• Open-mindedness towards new foods and food choices.

• Appreciation of cooking and good eating habits.

Above is just a short list of the life long benefits your child will experience if given the right opportunities. It can be as simple as having them wash the vegetables or help stir the batter. No matter how little the task, it will create a bond with your child and help them on the road to good health!

Neat Solutions has found the perfect cookbooks to get you and your children started. One author in particular, Mollie Katzen, has created two wonderful cookbooks just for young children (ages 3 and up).

           
Salad People and Pretend Soup by Molly Katzen

Check out some of our other great Kid's Cookbooks!