They find out orange juice comes from oranges and peanut butter comes from peanuts. Another benefit is strengthening the logical thinking process. When a cooking activity is set up correctly, even pre-readers can understand the steps. Other great things about kids cooking are math, logic, sequencing, concentration and patience. Waiting for something to be ready is an important lesson for young children.
Older children learn a lot about science and chemistry when they're cooking.
Kids can start doing simple cooking tasks as early as age two. Young children can wash vegetables, butter bread and help set up. Make sure the time they're involved in a cooking activity isn't rushed. There needs to be lots of time for them to keep it stress-free. Kids can be taught spreading, washing things, setting things up, sprinkling and grating things.