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As tempting as it can be at the end of a hard day to settle the kids in front of the TV for half an hour, while you rustle up a quick dinner, getting kids and teens involved with the meal prep and cooking has so many benefits – for both of you! They get to learn an invaluable life skill and foster healthy eating habits that they can carry with them throughout their life, and you get the delightful prospect of one day coming home to a meal that you didn’t have to make! Considering AI has estimated that I’ve cooked over 8,000 dinners in my lifetime, I’m all for training my offspring up in the kitchen to give mum a well-deserved night off, and let’s face it, although it would be quicker to just do it ourselves, they love the chance to help (at least until they turn into surly teens) and EveryPlate, with its illustrated step-by-step instructions turns a dreaded chore into a learning experience.

The Educational Value of Cooking with Kids

As an adult you likely cook on autopilot, not paying much attention to the skills required to complete each task. For children however, it’s a chance to practice and hone important skills.

You may not have realised it, but your kitchen is a hands-on classroom of sorts! The simple act of measuring ingredients, counting and dividing portions can introduce children to important maths concepts that they will need throughout their life. Mixing, heating and observing changes to texture and temperature is basic science! For school aged children, following the instructions on the recipe card requires them to practice reading, sequencing and comprehension skills and can help to improve their focus. Being in the kitchen can also help children develop problem solving skills—managing time, adjusting quantities or handling minor mishaps can help to build resilience and critical thinking.

But the potential for learning doesn’t end there. Tasks like chopping (with supervision) washing, stirring, peeling, pouring and cracking eggs (etc) are all great for fine motor control and hand-eye coordination in younger kids. It’s also a great way to build your child’s vocabulary, introducing them to new cooking terms and giving them a chance to ask questions, describe flavours, and talk about each step. Waiting for things to cook and following each step carefully can also help children to develop patience and focus. Of course, there’s also the added confidence and independence that comes from them being able to complete a task that is important for their emotional development.

We’re not suggesting you let them help with every meal (we’re not psychopaths!) but earmarking 1 day a week (when you are least run off your feet or feeling frazzled) as the night they ‘cook dinner’ can really help to boost their development in many areas and give them a real boost to their self-esteem.

How EveryPlate Makes Teaching Kids to Cook Easy and Fun

EveryPlate is a budget friendly meal kit service designed with simplicity in mind—making it the perfect place for kids and teens to start learning their way around the kitchen. The recipes are straightforward, and each meal includes clearly laid out instructions that include photographs, so even littlies who haven’t learned to read yet can follow along too.

Each meal takes only takes around 30 minutes to prepare, meaning they are doable even for those with short attention spans.

Meals are typically built with a variety of proteins, veggies and grains and come with the exact ingredients you need to cook that meal. This means that kids learn both what a well-rounded plate looks like and what constitutes a healthy portion size.

The fun doesn’t start in the kitchen though. Consider getting your family involved at the planning stage. Sit down together and peruse the online menu and let them have some input into which meals they would like to eat, and which meals they would like to help to cook. Allowing children to have some control in this area can lead to emptier plates at the end of mealtimes and less opposition to trying new foods, especially in fussy eaters.

So, if you’d love to spend more quality time with your kids, help them to build life skills, and not be the only one in your home willing and capable of dishing up tasty, wholesome meals, EveryPlate is the perfect place to start. Just order the meals you’d like to make, and all the ingredients and recipe cards turn up at your door, ready for your cooking lesson! It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Ready to give EveryPlate a go?

Right now, you can save up to $180 across your first 5 boxes with our exclusive offer. Just enter the code MLOUNGEPLATE at checkout to claim your discount.

Offer valid for new customers and old customers who haven’t ordered in the past 12 months.

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