According to a recent study conducted by Mintel, a market research group, only 6% of Americans aged 17-34 had any substantial cooking skills, even among the 25% that “loved cooking.” These statistics illustrate the growing trend away from home cooking and towards pre-made convenience foods and dining out.  This trend was born in part from necessity as parents faced schedules packed to the brink with work, soccer practices, piano lessons, and chores, and it does not necessarily mean bad parenting. However, learning to cook is an important skill that increases food acceptance and awareness, teaches reading and math skills, helps build confidence, and fosters independence.

How many parents out there have purchased or been begged to purchase one of those large plastic play kitchens?  From a young age, kids are naturally drawn to the kitchen.  However, despite this initial interest, few kids learn how to cook real food and their interest to help in the kitchen eventually dies out.  Take advantage of this interest and involve them in the process.

• Choose simple age-appropriate tasks.  Tearing up the lettuce leaves or opening and rinsing a bag of salad greens are great for a preschooler.  An elementary school aged child can help with measuring and reading recipes or instructions.
• Plan meals together to create the feeling of a team.
• Remember that messes are part of the process.  To keep your blood pressure down when the going gets tough, laugh, practice those Lamaze breathing techniques, and have towels at the ready.  Involve kids in the
  cleanup part of the cooking process as well.
• Assign harder tasks for days when there is more flexibility and time.  Nothing is more stressful than trying to cook something tricky with kids on a tight schedule.
•  If you lack the skills yourself, toot around on the internet. There are many blogs or YouTube videos these days giving detailed explanations on various cooking techniques. You can also look for local cooking classes. Healthy Living in South Burlington frequently has classes open to adults and kids alike. Another resource could be a family member or neighbor.

If not for the bonding that comes from cooking together, it may still be worthwhile to invest the time now teaching your child the basics of cooking.  Picture a day in the future when you are super stressed and running late from work and yet, your child has enough know-how and familiarity in the kitchen to get dinner on the table for you.  Sounds good to me!