Perhaps you simply wonder what kinds of things kids can do in the kitchen without getting into trouble. The fact is, brushing away an eager and curious child can be a timesaver. Some days it is easier to do the cooking yourself rather than with someone else - especially when that someone needs a lot of supervision.
Cooking allows children to explore a variety of things.
First, it is a sensory experience. Crumbling potato chips on a tuna casserole before baking makes a delightful noise. Kneading bread dough allows comparisons between smooth and rough, wet and dry, sticky and springy. Listening to hot oil sizzle in a pan when meat or vegetables are added can cause wide eyes, and big grins. Second, cooking reinforces things learned both at home and at school.