Learning is more fun when we do it together. Cooking with kids is one of the easiest ways to learn at home, and measuring is math.
You don’t need flash cards or fancy toys. Your kitchen, your grocery list and your weekend chores are full of learning. The secret ingredient is doing it side by side.
What it means for your child
Learning together looks a little different at each age.
- Babies: Talk to your baby while you cook. Name the foods, the colors and the sounds, and let them hold a plastic cup or a big spoon.
- Toddlers: They can wash vegetables, stir a cold bowl and hand you things. Counting spoonfuls is early math.
- Preschoolers: They can pour, measure and crack an egg with your help. Talk about bigger, smaller, more and less.
- School-age kids: Big kids can read the recipe, double it or plan a simple meal. Real math, real reading and a real snack at the end.
Try this tonight
Tonight, pick a simple recipe to make together this weekend.
- Choose something easy, like pancakes, fruit salad or trail mix.
- Let your child do the measuring and counting while you read the steps out loud.
- Taste what you made together and ask, “What should we make next time?”
Words you can use
- “Can you count the scoops for me?”
- “Which cup holds more?”
- “We make a great team.”
At Nana’s Place
We care for children 6 weeks to 12 years old at Nana’s Place, with day, evening and overnight care at two buildings in Glendale. We believe learning is best when it’s shared. See our space on a tour.
Questions parents ask
What can a 2-year-old help with in the kitchen?
Washing fruit, tearing lettuce, stirring cold ingredients and carrying things to the trash. Keep them away from the stove and knives, and stay close.
How do I teach my child math at home?
Count everything: stairs, apples, spoonfuls. Compare sizes, sort laundry by color and set the table with one fork for each person. Everyday life is full of math.
Cooking can get messy, and that’s okay, because messy hands mean busy minds. Let them pour, and remember: spills are just practice.
