Cooking with Preschoolers

Here’s a note I got from a friend about how she teaches classes – Cooking with Preschoolers. I thought you would enjoy reading it. I know I learned a few things…

“Some of my favorite co-op classes I have taught over the past several years has been cooking  with preschoolers . I have pulled no punches.  I have taught them even at 3&4 yrs old how to make all kinds of things from Pancakes to spaghetti, ice cream to homemade chocolate chip cookies.

We have had a blast.  There is a wonderful curriculum I follow  for the basis idea called “Lets Cook a Book” for K-6Th grades.  You read the book and cook something from the story as a learning experience and a chance to discuss the book.

I have found  picture books  early readers and gone along with this . Then provide all the bowls, ingredients,  and appliances to cook what is needed . I go over it all with the students. We will be using “Sharps ” and “hot” surfaces in class today so we don’t do this or we do do this.  I do not cook the items for them to see. They measure mix and cook.  I am there to “help make sure no one gets hurt” and to read the recipe .

Some of the moms have gotten a little upset when they realize I am not cooking no cook items but I state that explicitly in my class description. The kids usually pitch a fit when class is over because they wanna cook some more  . Doing is the best way of learning. I have even had a few “learning challenged”  students in my class and they have done just as well if not better than the other students .”

I was not able to find the book she mentioned above. I would think that some of the Five in a Row books would have some recipes. We love Cranberry Thanksgiving and Thundercake too!

More on cooking with preschoolers in my next post.