How to Make Cooking with a Group of Children Stress-Free

Some practitioners shy away from cooking activities because they dread the mess and the chaos that is sometimes associated with children and cooking. Cooking in after-school is a great time to incorporate reading, math, science and social skills.

The following recipe was shared with us by:
Mrs. Dorothy Clark (a 20 year veteran in the school-age care field)

CORN SALSA

1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
1 can (15 1/4 oz.) DelMonte Whole Kernel White Sweet Corn, drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) DelMonte Diced Tomatoes with Garlic and Onions
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained

Combine corn, undrained tomatoes and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Stir in beans; heat through.

TIPS

Brace yourself. Know that children will be excited about cooking:
  • Many children do not have the opportunity to participate in cooking at home.
  • The anticipation of eating the end result makes children more active.
Give children tasks that not only preoccupy them but teach them something. For example:

  • Even if you know the recipe calls for 1 can of corn, have a child measure it out. See how many 1/2 cups there are in a can.
  • Even if the canned tomatoes are already diced, you can have a 6 or 7 yr old cut them some more with a regular butter knife.
Engage children in conversation by asking questions like:

  • "How many quarter cups make a half cup?"
  • "Who knows where the corn in a can comes from?"
  • "What should we with these empty cans?" (discussion about recycling or recyclable art)
  • "Discuss how cornstarch thickens liquids"
  • "Safety tips while cooking (using a stove or hot plate, knives, etc)
Give each child a role. For example:

  • can openers
  • corn drainer
  • someone to measure the corn
  • bean drainer/rinser
  • someone to measure the black beans
  • tomato dicer
  • stirer (everyone should get a chance to stir)
  • clock watcher (timer)
  • ground pepper and cornstarch adder/mixer
  • someone to add the black beans at the end.

Use the cooking activity to instill certain values such as:

  • Cleaning up after yourself
  • Sharing and taking turns
  • Table manners

Thanks for this recipe Mrs. Clark and congratulations on your 20 years at LEDP!

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