Should you teach your kids to cook?

For me, cooking has always been one of life’s greatest joys. Sure, the cleanup can be a little tedious, but even then, there’s so much value in committing to all the washing and scrubbing :)

Part of setting up and running Bake Austin has a lot to do with my belief that kids can not only have fun, but learn so much through cooking. 

It’s not just about their ability to whip up fun cupcakes or a delicious chicken dish for dinner.When you trust your kids in the kitchen and show them that you believe they can pull off cooking a meal, you instil plenty of confidence and resilience in them. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! 
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If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids occupied at home or are looking for fun summertime activities, here’s why live online cooking classes or a quick cooking demo can be a great idea :)
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It shows your kids you trust and believe in them

Telling your kids you trust them and showing them you trust them are two different things. This was something I would always think about when my kids were a little younger. 

By taking them to the kitchen and showing them how I’d do things—and letting them try those out for themselves—I was putting my money where my mouth was.

Even if you don’t say the words, your kids feel more responsible because obviously, you’ve taken a big step in allowing them to enter your space! When you teach your kids to cook, you’re giving them the building blocks they need to develop their confidence.

You help your kids have fun while taking on more responsibility
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Another reason why I’m a huge advocate for cooking for kids is because it’s a great way to teach them about household responsibilities—all while having fun!

For most kids, cooking is not really a boring chore and they’re naturally more likely to look forward to it. While this can make life easy for you, it’s important to take this opportunity to teach them a few life skills.

Show your kids that cooking isn’t just about the excitement of whipping together different ingredients; it’s also about clearing up after and following basic kitchen safety rules.
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Over time, you will find that they not only enjoy cooking but that they’re also able to make better decisions and can follow their intuition.

Cooking can be a masterclass in discipline

There was a time when I felt like getting my kids to commit to the basics like cleaning up after themselves, being patient and following instructions was impossible.

Once I started exposing them to the kitchen, it was easy for me to instil discipline in them without coming down too heavy. 
Just think about it. Cooking, and especially baking, is a waiting game. You need to be patient and stir the ingredients in at the right time. You need to resist the urge to keep opening the oven or the lid of your stove to look at how your dish is turning out. You also need to commit to the cleanup.

All of these pit stops along their journey teach them, over time, that the good things in life take time, patience, and discipline.
I can’t think of any other way I’d rather teach my kids these important lessons :) 

Teach your kids to cook and give them the keys to a more successful life!
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As someone who spends plenty of time teaching kids in the US and all over the world to cook, I’ve seen, first-hand, how it can be an incredible learning opportunity.
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Even with my own children, taking them to the kitchen and spending time with them is something I cherish!
If you’ve been looking for ways to connect with your kids and educate them about the real world better, teach your kids to cook.