Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > December > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat age can kids really start cooking?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today I am starting a cooking class for some of my son’s 5th grade classmates. I promised one of the parents, who has triplets and hates to cook, that I would teach her kids how to make dinner for them.
Although my 5th grader, Jack, is incredibly adept in the kitchen (far more so than my 8th grader) I wonder how far to let the kids go. While Jack is an expert omelet maker and has skilled knife techniques, I am sure some of these kids have never been near a stove or maneuvered anything more than a bread knife. When their parents say they “like to cook” it usually actually translates to “likes to make chocolate chip cookies.”
While I obviously will use extreme caution while directing them at cutting and stove top use, and I have picked recipes that avoid much of that, never the less, I still am concerned that some parent’s vision of safety is more restrictive than mine.
About what age do you think is appropriate for kids to learn how to use a sharp knife by themselves? What about cooking in a hot skillet, or transferring things too and from the oven? While most agree kids should be made welcome in the kitchen with age appropriate tasks, I wonder, when do you feel kids can actually begin to cook for themselves as long as an adult is nearby?
Here’s a great link to encourage you to get your kids cooking. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/health/09well.html
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By Stacey
December 3, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
When I was growing up, it was a right of passage (so to speak) to make cornbread for dinner every night starting in third grade. Either my mother or one of my teenage siblings would put the heavy cast iron skillet into and out of the oven but you did the rest by yourself. We could make grilled cheese sandwiches, fried bologna and boiled hot dogs (pre-microwave) unassisted at that age. By fifth grade I think we had moved up to baking cookies from scratch and cake mix cakes. We could also heat up canned veggies, cook pancakes, eggs and stuff like that by ourselves. I can’t remember where the progression came, but by 7th or 8th grade we were able to cook a full meal unassisted (including seasoning everything and cooking the meat). I think may still have scars from getting popped by hot grease! (LOL) Sure, we ate a lot of egg shells and really under-seasoned food but it gave us an incredible sense of accomplishment.
By lwa
December 3, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
I allow my kids in the kitchen when they are comfortable. My 8 year old is always with me. My 16 year old just sits around and wait.
I was 5, cooking eggs when I started. My sister was in middle school when she started cooking.
I have a cousin who was frying chicken standing in a chair at 6 yrs. old It was due to circumstances and her sister has a scar on her foot to prove such.
It really depends on the child.
By Pandora
December 3, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
My Son started cooking when he was 8. He is a very good cook. I am teaching him how to cook so he will NOT have to depend on anyone cooking for him when he gets older and goes to college or when he gets married. He is now 14 and he cooks better than a lot of adults!
By RealityKing
December 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Far to many have already been horribly burned in the kitchen. Teenagers should be taught to cook, not children…
By Becky
December 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Like Satcey said, I was cooking cornbread when I was 7..Pretty much by the time that I was 13, I could cook anything that I wanted…
Yes, kids do get burned, but if the parent is teaching them, then they shouldn’t get scared for life…My grandchildren (6) cook with me..the girl loves to cook, the boy only likes to cook certain things..She can crack an egg with the best of them..She’s learning now how to make biscuits (from scratch)..I guess it’s up to each parent & child..
By amy
December 3, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
I think about 4th grade, I started making scrambled eggs, french toast, grilled cheese, and then making things out of the boxes in 5th grade (i.e. macaroni and cheese, brownie mixes, etc. Knives I would say, I started using in middle school.
but like everyone up top reiterated, it depends on the maturity of the child….Some might think the knife is a toy and not realize the harm it can cause, if started too early.
By RealityKing
December 3, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
A friend of mine is missing half her left breast due one of these joyous cook occations with her Grandma when she was 5. Image that, a clumsy 5 yrs old. Now image walking in Grandma’s guilt ridden shoes for the rest of your life. Grandma takes full responsibility, but in hind sight, she whole heartily agrees with Forest Gump’s mother. Stupid is as stupid does..
By Kids Can Cook
December 3, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
My 6 year old daughter loves to help in the kitchen. If she wants to cut vegetables with me, I give her a fork to poke into the vegetable so her hands aren’t anywhere near the knife. She can crack eggs and measure and mix, but doesn’t use the oven or stove at all.
By Buzz
December 3, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
3 years or older
By Grammaw
December 3, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
My mom taught me the basics from the time I was old enough to sit on the kitchen counter and watch, helping with pouring, stirring, etc. I turned out to be a pretty darned good cook, if I DO say so myself, so now, having my 5 y.o. granddaughter living with me, I allow her to help in any way I can find, like helping to make hamburger patties, stirring veggies, etc. She loves it, and looks forward to telling everyone that she “made” dinner! I’m hoping it will make her a good cook as well!
By allison
December 3, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
I let my kids, 8 & 11, cook with adult supervision. They have learned to chop, peel and cook by doing. No fingers missing yet. They are not only confident in cooking and baking, but have broadened their horizons in what they are willing to eat, since they like to eat whatever they make. check out the cooking and baking kits at www.cookingexplorers.com for appropriate recipes to make together as a family
By Barbie
December 3, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
I let my daughter sit on the counter with me when she could sit up well…….she is now 12 and is a cook. We eat lots of yummy food in our house, cooking is our hobby (we have no TV) it is not a choice in our house, you help cook if you want to eat. By the time they are 12 they should be able to throw together an easy meal…that is, if mom or dad has taught them how to do it.
By motherjanegoose
December 5, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
KUDOS to you Barbie. My 16 year old made most of the entrees this Thanksgiving again…she loves to cook and I am proud of her!
By Jeanne Besser
December 5, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all your comments. I have to report that the cooking class was a success, with that age (10-11) really ready to cook carefully with adult They were willing to try new things and used proper caution around heat and sharp utensils!
By Jeanne Besser
December 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Just saw this great story that shows the benefit of getting kids cooking. Check it out. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/health/09well.html