Teach children to be independent like Japanese children

In addition to fun activities that help improve physical and mental health, there is another activity that Japanese children are always taught by their parents from a young age to foster healthy eating habits.

The great benefits when children learn to cook

Japan is a country with a developed education system, from a young age, Japanese mothers do not hesitate to let their children come into contact with cooking to help them develop more comprehensively. Therefore, for Vietnamese mothers, instead of worrying about their children cutting their hands, getting burned, or breaking dishes, why don't we let our children come into contact and practice cooking safely like Japanese children?

Cooking helps children improve their skills and develop more comprehensively (Illustration photo).

This is a job that brings many benefits to children that parents may not know about, such as: helping children eat better, children have practical experience with foods in daily meals, and increasing the bond between parents and children.

Cooking is an art. For children, cooking is an educational method. Children will learn to recognize ingredients, discover the origin of vegetables, fruits, food and how to use kitchen utensils. They even learn math skills such as measuring, counting, calculating the ratio of ingredients for dishes, and adjusting recipes.

In addition, children also practice patience in the process of preparing dishes. Creativity through cooking and kitchen work is also a positive point of this activity for children.

Kitchen job suggestions for children of different ages

Children can start cooking from the age of 2, of course parents need to supervise and guide their children, helping them have basic concepts of safety in the cooking process. Cooking is a job that requires creativity, parents should give children the opportunity to express their wishes during the cooking process by asking them what vegetables they want to eat in their salad today, whether they like mixed noodles or fried noodles...

During the cooking process, the movements of kneading, shaping, cutting, and mixing food will make children excited. Mothers need to remind children about hygiene, washing their hands before and after cooking. After cooking, mothers should let children clean up and wipe the table, chairs, and utensils. Older children can help mothers clean up, dry dishes, and arrange kitchen utensils.

Here are suggested descriptions of kitchen tasks for each age group that parents can refer to and let their children do:

Note to guide children to use knives safely in the kitchen

Knives are familiar kitchen tools that help make work more convenient and faster. However, mothers need to note some principles to ensure safety and stimulate children to love cooking as follows:

- First, teach your child how to use a plastic knife on soft foods like bananas and avocados. Always use two hands when practicing, one hand to hold the knife, the other hand to hold the food.

- Mothers guide children on the principles of safe knife use. Place the blade on the cutting board, holding the handle to operate. After use, mothers should remind children to put the blade cover on to avoid injury. Children's hands should not be placed on the cutting board when the blade is open. The last thing is that only adults are allowed to remove the knife from its original position and children must have the consent of adults before using the knife.

- When your child has mastered the skills and understands the principles of using a knife, you can let him use a sharp knife to cut and peel vegetables. Using a dull knife can cause your child to not perform properly, slip out of the food and cut his hand.

- While cooking, especially with tools like knives and scissors, your child should not be in a hurry. Your child needs to work carefully and follow the established principles. However, to keep cooking fun and engaging for your child, to bring more excitement and stimulation to your child, remember to combine games while cooking to make cooking more interesting.

According to TTVH