Preparing food is an everyday task and a life skill, yet it’s often not taught enough. Although home economics classes are taught in some B.C. high schools, I haven’t heard much about it. It didn’t exist at my school. Generally, these programs are disappearing for various reasons, which means that children need even more practice at home with cooking. This can and should be done at home, not just in educational or extracurricular settings. Keep reading to know more about the benefits of learning to cook at a young age!

1. Skill

Child and teen brains are developing! As we learn academic and cognitive skills in this critical period, we can also learn physical skills, such as chores, instruments, sports, etc. Cooking, specifically, is often overlooked as a simple, household skill, but it is one that goes a long way. We all need to learn it sooner or later in our lives, so it's best to start early! You could argue that cooking is dangerous, and you wouldn’t be wrong. We’re talking about hot and sharp objects. But cooking (and the safety aspects) can start small, and as kids spend more time in the kitchen, they can slowly get into stoves and knives. In fact, they get to learn about safety. Additionally, as kids pick up more skills, they’ll be better fit to keep learning and developing, even doing so more independently.

2. Knowledge

As we learn to cook, whether at home or out there, we come to realize that cooking is much more than just preparing food. For one thing, we learn to follow instructions – especially measurements, like how many eggs, cups of water, what temperatures are needed for the oven, and how long to heat food for. As we grow older, our education from cooking can lead to the development of more abstract ideas like “design, mindfulness… and [knowing] the impact of our food… decisions on the environment”. By taking part in cooking, we have more time to see this – which applies not just while eating, but while preparing too.

3. Nutrition

It’s no secret that home-cooked meals are usually healthier than those from restaurants. At home, you can control the amount of sugar, salt, and oil you use, and kids will learn that recipes can be adapted to be both healthier and just as (if not even more) delicious! This approach is associated with better eating habits and overall health outcomes, including lower obesity rates.

4. Hobbies and Peer Relationships

Cooking (and food more generally) can be a lot of fun! Hobbies and interests are often seen as a side thing, but are an essential part of our personal lives. They help us recharge, while keeping us productive and shaping our unique personalities and domains of interest. As a regular occurrence, might as well have fun with it, right? Hobbies also allow us to connect with peers, as common interests (and personal characteristics) often drive friendship formation. Food and cooking are certainly interests that can be shared with others to strengthen connections.

5. Parent-Child Relationships

Families (especially parents) are influential in our lives. They’re the first ones to bring us up, and are part of our home bases until at least the start of adulthood. Parents who are more engaged in their children’s activities and lives tend to elicit better physical, intellectual, relational and emotional outcomes. It could be talking about basketball practice, or even playing bump at the park. While basketball skills aren’t necessary for parents, cooking is a universal activity found in nearly all families. and can often be done together with children, providing a valuable opportunity for bonding and teaching.

In summary, cooking is a universal life skill that can bring in a lot of meaning, apply knowledge, benefit mental and physical health, and strengthen relationships. Though existent in some high schools, it can begin outside of school (especially at home), and much earlier (in the childhood years)!