When I worked in Montessori Kindergarten, I was impressed how washing and cutting vegetables with real knives and boards was part of the program. Children used to pick up herbs from the garden, wash the dishes and participate in cooking preparation, serving meals and sharing them as a community. I was hooked.
This reminded of my good old days spent with my beloved grandma, baking pies, picking up parsley from her garden, juicing apples and “helping” her to make traditional russian dumplings – pelmeni. These memories were not only treasured, but impacted my love for gardening and importance of home made cooked meals, traditions of cooking together and how it could teach children life-long skills and dispositions. This convinced me that cooking classes should be part of every early childhood centre’s program. Here’s why.
Cooking: Lifelong skills
Cooking with kids is more than just preparing food; it’s an educational experience. In that Montessori classroom, I saw how cooking sparked curiosity and fostered growth. That’s why I introduced it as part of my own ECE curriculum when I became a kindergarten teacher. Children weren’t just following recipes—they were developing cognitive skills like problem-solving and decision-making. This aligns perfectly with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF 2.0), which emphasises holistic development and learning through play and real-life experiences .
Part of your program can be excursions to local farm markets or supermarkets to get the ingredients for cooking
Building Confidence and Independence
There’s nothing like the pride on a child’s face when they’ve made something themselves. Cooking teaches kids independence and boosts their confidence, showing them they can accomplish things on their own. This supports Outcome 1 of the EYLF 2.0, which focuses on children developing a strong sense of identity and confidence . Children love different food and they love talking about it.
Creating Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits
Involving children in meal prep is a great way to introduce them to healthy eating. When kids participate in cooking, they’re more likely to try new foods and develop a lasting appreciation for nutritious meals. This directly connects with EYLF Outcome 3, which highlights the importance of promoting children’s health and wellbeing , with the added suboutcome requiring us to support children to take increasing responsibility for their health.
Hands-On Sensory Learning
Cooking is a fantastic way for children to develop sensory and fine motor skills. Tasks like chopping, stirring, and measuring engage their hands and eyes in a fun and educational way, laying the foundation for skills they’ll use later in life. This kind of hands-on learning is essential for meeting the National Quality Standard (NQS) set by ACECQA, which advocates for diverse and meaningful experiences that enhance children’s development .
Fostering Creativity
The kitchen is a place where kids can unleash their creativity. Whether it’s decorating cookies or inventing a new dish, cooking allows them to experiment and express themselves. This creative exploration ties into EYLF Outcome 4, encouraging children to be confident and involved learners .
Cooking is more than just a fun activity; it’s a powerful tool for teaching children essential life skills. From boosting confidence to fostering creativity, cooking offers countless benefits that make it an invaluable part of early childhood education. If you’re involved in early childhood programs, consider adding cooking classes to your curriculum. The rewards are well worth it.
For further guidance on aligning your program with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF 2.0), visit the EYLF 2.0 overview. Additionally, to ensure your program meets the National Quality Standard, consult the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) resources.
Watch my video on how to support healthy eating in your centre
