Recipes can be presented in rebus form on large flip chart paper, so children can experience that symbols and words have meaning and can be read. Ants on a Log 5 celery stalks 5 tablespoons peanut butter 1 box of raisins Wash celery. Spread peanut butter and top with raisins. In actual cooking activities, children experiment with differences between measurements and different-size containers. Children may produce food of differing shapes and sizes.
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.