Teaching kids how to cook can be much more than just a fun activity they’ll enjoy eating afterwards; it’s also proven to be tremendously helpful for other aspects of their learning skills. Many schools are incorporating cooking into their curriculum, since they find it’s a great way to keep kids’ attention.

These are some of the skills a child can fine-tune, simply by following a basic recipe:
• Math- measuring, weighing, counting, shapes and fractions.
• Reading- vocabulary and reading skills.
• Nutrition- where food comes from, how it’s grown, how food changes through the cooking process, sensory exploration.
• Motor skills- chopping, whisking, kneading, pouring.

However, one of the most important things that cooking can teach children is the importance of safety and responsibility in the kitchen. In 2012 alone, approximately 360,000 children nationwide were injured from burns or scalds, and with shows like Junior Iron Chef that make cooking something exciting and competitive for children to watch and emulate, ensuring kitchen safety is more important than ever.

Here are some tips to keep your junior chef injury-free:
• Turn off all appliances before leaving the kitchen.
• Keep appliances away from water.
• Do not pour water onto a pan with hot oil; the oil can sputter and cause burns.
• Hold burns under cold water immediately to reduce severity.
• Do not pour water onto a cooking fire, since it can make it bigger. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and call 911 if flames start to leap.
• Turn pot handles to the back of the range top, and keep all towels and materials away from the stove burners.

For more information on how to keep your family safe while cooking, and your home fire-free, check out our website at: https://guardianssistg.wpengine.com/