Cooking

With
Children

Cooking with Children

Remember - Children will usually be able to only
focus on one step at a time.
Each ingredient should be wonderful to explore
and children should be allowed to do so. Cooking
projects should be a hands-on, sensory experience.
The recipe must be flexible to allow for some
inaccurate counting and measuring.
To promote literacy, recipe should have both
pictures and print to enable children to follow
along.
A routine must be established to be followed
throughout the year for cooking projects with
handwashing being the first step.
Recipes should involve actions. Each child should
be able to actively participate, if they choose to.
Be prepared for participation ensure that there are
sufficient ingredients and utensils.
Because children typically are unable to follow the
transformation properties, the process of baking
should be explained in simple terms.

Parallels between home and school should be

encouraged and discussed.
The more opportunities for hands-on involvement
by children, the more meaningful and of value the
project.
Open-ended questions to promote thinking should
be made throughout process.
Cooking experiences should not be restricted to
gender. Address any comments that children may
make about cooking being for girls.
Have all ingredients on hand and organized prior to
starting project as well as extra in the event there
is a mishap of some kind.
Allow ample time, so that children do not need to
be rushed.

When I am cooking, I am
measuring, comparing, counting,
classifying, and experiencing how
properties of things change.
I am role-playing, learning more
about my world
and experiencing different
cultures!

Jessica Jane
Jessica Jane is the kind of cook
Who doesnt need a recipe book.
Little trouble indeed she takes
When she makes puddings and pies and cakes.
With a twist of her wrist and a pat-a-pat
She turns them out in a row like that!
There in a row in the summer sun
They bake and bake til theyre all done.
Grocery problems are not for her
She has plenty of mud and a stick to stir!

By May Justus

Books on Cooking with Children/Cookbooks

Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook (Better Homes and
Gardens Test Kitchen) by Jennifer Dorland Darling
Betty Crocker Kids Cook! by Betty Crocker
Everything Kids' Cookbook: From Mac ' N Cheese to Double Chocolate
Chip Cookies-All You Need to Have Some Finger Lickin' Fun (Everything
Children's
Quick
And Easy
Cookbook
Kids Series)
by Sandra,
M.S.,
R.D.
DkAngela
Children's
Cookbook
by
Wilkes
by Katharine Ibbs, Howard Shooter
A First Cookbook for Children: With Illustrations to Color)
by Evelyne Johnson, Christopher Santoro

The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Children's Cookbook

by Marianne Zanzarella, Tom Eckerle
The Boxcar Children Cookbook
by Diane Blain
Passport on a Plate : A Round-the-World Cookbook for Children
by Diane Simone Vezza, Susan Greenstein (Illustrator)

Look and Cook: A Cookbook for Children

by Tina Davis
Children's Step-by-Step Cookbook
by Angela Wilkes
Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook (Children's World
Cookbook)
by Anne Millard

Other related ideas:

-

Make a sequencing activity, illustrating the steps for cooking a

specific dish
Make a classroom recipe book, with parents each bringing in a
favorite recipe
Research famous chefs, or the many ways people can cook
Use mealtime as an opportunity for discussion and developing
thinking skills
Tie in nutritional concepts, and expand upon with related activities
Create a spice smelling activity
Have a Taste Test and chart/graph childrens favorites
Let children practice and experience using measuring utensils (in
sand, water play, etc.)
Make a related concept activity using pictures, reinforcing empty/full;
hot/cold; raw/cooked; etc.
Make a fruit/veggie sorting activity
Take a field trip to purchase ingredients