Cookery at Happy Days
At Happy Days cooking is a place where young children can learn about food, prepare their own meals, and have fun in the kitchen. Cooking with the children has many benefits for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Here are some of the advantages of having a childrens nursery cooking:
Number and Literacy Skills
Cooking teaches children math and literacy skills. Cooking involves measuring, counting, weighing, and reading. Children can learn about numbers, shapes, sizes, and units as they measure out ingredients, weigh items on a scale, or follow a recipe. They can also practice their reading comprehension and vocabulary as they read labels, instructions, and menus¹ ².
Healthy Eating and Wellbeing
Cooking promotes healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Preparing and cooking food can encourage children to try new foods. They can also learn about the nutritional value and benefits of different foods. Cooking can also help children get more physical activity and raise hygiene awareness as they wash their hands, chop vegetables, stir pots, or clean up¹ ².
Cooking boosts children’s well-being and happiness. Cooking can reduce stress, anxiety, and boredom in children by providing them with a fun and creative outlet. It can also increase their self-esteem, confidence, and social skills by giving them a sense of achievement and belonging. Cooking can also foster a love of food and a respect for the environment¹ ².
Time management and Senses
Cooking helps children develop planning and time management skills. Cooking requires following a sequence of steps, keeping track of time, and organizing materials. Children can learn to plan ahead, prioritize tasks, and manage their time as they cook. They can also see and enjoy the results of their work and effort¹ ³.
Cooking stimulates children’s senses and curiosity. Cooking is a sensory-rich activity that engages all five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. The children can explore different colours, flavours, textures, aromas, and sounds of food and ingredients in the kitchen. They can also ask questions and learn new facts about food, nutrition, and culture¹ ⁴
To Summarise
At Happy Days cooking is more than just a room with some appliances and utensils. It is a learning space where children can grow in many ways. During cooking our teachers can help them develop valuable skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will benefit them throughout their lives.
- Benefits of gardening with kids – BBC Tiny Happy People. https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/benefits-of-gardening-with-kids/znrntrdBenefits of involving children in cooking – Kumon UK. https://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/the-benefits-of-involving-children-in-cooking
- 16 Benefits of Cooking in Early Childhood – Empowered Parents. https://empoweredparents.co/benefits-of-cooking-in-early-childhood/
- Why should cooking be taught in nursery settings?. https://www.earlyyearscareers.com/eyc/latest-news/why-the-early-years-should-teach-cooking/
- Cooking With Preschoolers (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cooking-preschool.html