Cooking also offers many opportunities for the development of motor skills. Stirring, beating, pouring, squeezing, and kneading all require gross motor coordination. Fine motor skills are developed through cutting, slicing, dipping, grating, measuring, spreading, and leveling. Because of the positive associations inherent in food for most children, a cooking activity provides a wonderful opportunity for group discussion and use of language skills. Cooking can easily become a regular component in the teaching of nutrition.
Cooking is also a perfect activity to build cooperative skills.
Assign roles to the group. The cooperation of the group yields a finished product of which all can be proud. Again, cooking is a a good way to enourage their participation. This is one activity in which most Moms, Grandmoms and even some Dads feel very proficient. A kitchen with stove and refrigerator would be a wonderful facility for every kindergarten, but isn't necessary for many types of cooking.