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(Unit 5) Topic 8: Cooking Up Fun!

4 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Social Development and Cooking

Topic 8 Page 10

Preparing and cooking food, especially as a group, is a time for social interaction and conversation. These conversations will typically revolve around the foods or the methods being used to prepare them. Toddlers may pronounce the foods, recognize the colors or comment on textures or shapes. Preschoolers will tell stories and express their prejudices about certain items. School-age children will be more involved in the cooking process and be able to participate in the planning and serving of the items. These are foundational blocks for social skills that they are developing and building on every day.

Cooking and preparing food can also give the group an opportunity to practice their turn-taking skills and communication. Some recipes may require that children follow a sequence of simple tasks and take turns completing them. Most recipes and food preparation involves specific steps or sequencing of events which means that children will need to listen to instructions and often be reminded of the proper steps. Toddlers are capable of following simple instructions and sequencing events, but be sure to use developmentally appropriate instructions and tasks.

When children are asked to take turns, often conflicts can arise. When a conflict does arise, it is a good opportunity to practice conflict resolution techniques. Teaching children to accept “no” for an answer, be respectful, and communicate their feelings can aid in their social development during play and other periods throughout the day. Meal time can often be a frustrating time for children with grumbly tummies, so patience is key when helping them to resolve conflicts.

Cooking or preparing foods in a group setting also gives younger children a chance to be exposed to and practice manners, which further develop their social skills and reinforce positive interactions. Teachers and caregivers should model this as well making it commonplace and routine to use manners and be polite.

Cooking presents an extra opportunity for children to develop their listening skills even further. When a child is part of a group and is expected to complete a specific task, he or she is responsible for that portion of the activity. While this may seem like a lot of pressure for younger children, it is no different than the responsibilities that toddlers take on in play or other tasks. Cooking or preparing is just a different avenue of experiencing responsibility.