Empowering kids in the kitchen: Teaching healthy eating is best done hands-on
Summer holidays can be a challenge for parents, with disrupted routines and constant demands for meals and snacks. But food writer and educator Jolene Cox has a solution: get your kids involved in cooking. Cox, known as One Yummy Mummy on Instagram, has been teaching online cooking classes for kids for six years, along with her 12-year-old daughter, Lily Mae.
Cox emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning in the kitchen, drawing from her Montessori teaching background. She believes that cooking from scratch is key to a healthy diet, giving parents control over ingredients and ensuring a healthier alternative to takeout. Cox started cooking with Lily Mae when she was in her high chair, using simple tasks like spooning and pouring, which built her confidence and sense of accomplishment.
Her bestselling cookbook, Now You're Cooking! 70 Recipes That Kids Can Make, focuses on kitchen skills and preparation, starting with basics like preheating the oven and weighing ingredients. Cox encourages parents to resist the urge to take over, teaching kids safe knife skills and emphasizing the importance of practice. She notes that a sharp knife is safer than a dull one and provides detailed instructions and photos to guide kids through chopping techniques.
The cookbook offers a variety of recipes, from simple tomato sauce to more complex dishes like curry and tray bakes. Cox highlights the benefits of cooking with kids, including increased confidence, happiness, and a sense of achievement. She also addresses the issue of mess, teaching hygiene and teamwork to manage it together. Cox suggests using cooking as a way to engage kids in productive activities, reducing screen time and fostering a sense of joy and accomplishment.
One of the recipes featured in the book is Lily Mae and Jolene Cox's Jambons, a flaky pastry stuffed with ham and cheese. The recipe is simple to make and can be a great lunchtime snack. Cox's approach to teaching healthy eating through cooking is not only practical but also empowering, offering a fun and educational experience for both parents and children.
