Why

while adults understand proper nutrition is critical for health and acquiring cooking skills can return important long-term benefits for a family’s physical and economic well-being, children need to be inspired and encouraged to see this. But, Why should we encourage them to participate in food preparation, when they can do a million other favorite activities instead? Because, in many ways, our food habits are ingrained in us from a very young age. We are heavily influenced by our culture, our parents, and our communities when it comes to our relationship with food.

Learning to cook and be a part of food preparation helps kids,

• In shaping their taste buds and eating healthy.

• To work from a place of awareness and make better food choices for themselves.

• Honor the role of nutritious food in their lives. Understand and listen to their body.

• See what different foods look like and experience different flavors, textures, tastes, and colors from around the world.

• Gain a greater appreciation of where food comes from, inspiring them to nurture for plants and grow their own produce eventually!

• Respect their surroundings, environment, and nature.

• Build their vocabulary and math skills – for example, when you read a recipe together and measure.

• Have a lovely, fun-filled bonding time with their family!

• Grow into vibrant, happy, healthy, confident and sensitive adults.