Cooking with preschoolers

"Mum, can I help mix it?"
"How many cups of flour do we need?"

These are some common questions children ask when helping in the kitchen.

While safety is always the priority, cooking presents a wonderful learning opportunity for young children.

Cooking helps them develop self-help skills, independence and confidence while also enhancing their vocabulary and early math skills.

Baking is a great place to start as it typically doesn’t involve heat until the final stage, making it a safer choice. By following a simple recipe, children experience the process of creating something from scratch. This not only fosters a sense of accomplishment, but also strengthens their language skills as they learn to follow instructions step by step.

Early math skills emerge as children explore various measuring tools, helping them understand the difference between quantities such as one cup and one tablespoon. This hands-on experience strengthens their grasp of measurement, comparison, and basic numeracy concepts.

Beyond language and math, cooking also supports fine motor development as children scoop, pour, stir, and knead. These hands-on tasks help strengthen hand-eye coordination and dexterity, which are essential for writing and other everyday skills.

Cooking also encourages sensory exploration such as feeling soft flour, sticky dough, or smelling fragrant vanilla engaging children’s senses and building their descriptive vocabulary. They also learn about science concepts, such as how ingredients change when mixed or baked, sparking curiosity and problem-solving skills.

At Turtletot in Bexley, cooking experiences take place in small groups, allowing children ample time to explore ingredients and cook at their own pace. This setting provides a valuable opportunity for social-emotional growth, as children practice turn-taking, patience, and teamwork while collaborating with teachers or peers. It also nurtures a sense of responsibility and pride as they contribute to meal preparation. The cook also loves having the children turn up to the kitchen asking her to bake their masterpieces in the oven - they love to make their own pizza with healthy ingredients for lunch.

By involving preschoolers in cooking, we’re not just making food—we’re creating meaningful learning experiences that build lifelong skills.

The final dish may not look perfect, but it's the process and learning experience that truly counts. The smiles on their faces will definitely make your day! Give it a try today!

Happy eating from the team at Turtletot Childcare in Bexley