Should Kids Learn How to Cook?

Dear Olivia,

Remember last week? I got home from hockey practice and was hungry. I knew what snack would hit the spot—crispy tortilla chips loaded with hot, gooey cheese. But everyone was busy, and I didn’t know how to make it myself. Here’s a solution: I can learn how to cook!

First, cooking would make me more independent. I could make my own snacks after school without bothering you, Mom, or Dad.

Also, I’ll need to learn how to cook eventually. Why not start now? Dad could teach me how to handle kitchen tools safely. Plus, I’d never use the stove without a grown-up around.

Cooking can help in other ways too. Figuring out how many servings to make and carefully measuring ingredients would help sharpen my math skills. Keeping track of timers would teach me to be responsible.

Best of all? I’d be able to help Mom and Dad make dinner! This would give us more family time and let us work as a team.

So what do you think? Let’s turn up the heat!

Your little brother and hopeful chef,

Miles

Dear Miles,

I agree that it’s useful to know how to cook. But I think you’re a little too young to make your own food. Here’s why.

Like you mentioned, you’ll learn how to cook someday. Right now, there’s enough on your plate! You have homework and soccer practice to think about. There will be plenty of time to cook when you’re older.

I also don’t think you should be handling many kitchen tools just yet. Knives can be dangerous! Even with a grown-up watching you, accidents can still happen. Let me, Mom, or Dad handle these tricky kitchen tools for a few more years.