Healthy Cooking Classes for Kids

Parents must make informed decisions on their children's health, and they should teach children that healthy choices are right and appealing. A refrigerator full of healthy food and regular family meals together are good ideas to instill good eating habits. Getting children involved in cooking by enrolling them in healthy cooking classes for kids is another good tip for promoting lifelong healthy eating.

Ages Four to Six

• Preschool and kindergarten children enjoy working with their hands and would be receptive to an age-appropriate cooking class. Baking bread and preparing soup are the two main cooking classes for children ages four to six in Waldorf schools, which are schools that follow a whole child philosophy. Whole grains and natural sweeteners, like honey, are used in bread rather than refined carbohydrates, like white flour. Children also cut up vegetables for healthy soups.

Ages Seven to 11

• Children ages seven and older can handle knives and other kitchen equipment better than younger children. While children can understand more about healthy eating at this age, peer pressure starts to become an issue. Children can take healthy cooking classes that feature a holiday, such as Valentine's Day. This holiday is surrounded by sugary desserts. A healthy cooking class could offer healthier alternatives, such as fruit desserts or treats in the form of crafts rather than candy.

Ages 12 and Older

• Middle school and high school kids can fully understand the relationships between farming and what we buy at the grocery store. A farm to kitchen cooking class would teach children respect for ecology and healthy eating. Children would learn that a farm animal that eats the right food tastes better and is more nutritious, and farming techniques that promote a healthy planet would be healthier to eat. Children could meet real farmers and learn to prepare meals for their families.

Considerations

• Most healthy cooking classes for kids are divided by age, but you know your child best. If your child is in the borderline of an age group, you need to consider his skill level and coordination. In cooking classes, your child may need to use sharp knives and hot stoves. Choose a class that is appropriate for his skill level, not just his age. Also, be sure to choose a class with a small teacher to student ratio. Ask the teacher if you can come to class to supervise your child if you think he needs it. Another consideration is to check what kinds of meals will be prepared. Be sure the class is actually cooking nutritious meals.