Nutrition FAQ

Cooking in the Classroom

Expand all Collapse all

• What are some safety considerations when cooking with children?

  • Before preparing food with children, carefully review ingredient contents to ensure there are no potential allergens.
  • Before cooking, ensure that children wash their hands and tie back long hair. Remind children of the importance of rewashing hands as needed (e.g., after using the washroom, coughing or sneezing).
  • Point out the dangers of sharp utensils and supervise closely. Plastic safety knives are appropriate for young children to use under supervision.
  • To minimize the risk of food-borne illness, always keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Consume, refrigerate or freeze potentially hazardous foods (e.g.meat, eggs) within two hours after removal from the refrigeration or heating element. Bring in a cooler with ice packs if you don't have a fridge nearby.

• What food preparation tasks are appropriate at what ages?

  The following are general guidelines for age-appropriate food preparation tasks. These tasks are cumulative and may vary with different students and ability levels.

  Kindergarten and Grade 1:

  • With supervision, cut soft foods using plastic knives
  • Scrub and wash vegetables and fruit
  • Tear lettuce to make salad, peel bananas
  • Add and stir ingredients in a bowl
  • Help measure ingredients
  • Arrange food on a serving plate

  Grades 2 and 3:

  • Fill and level measuring spoons and cups
  • Read a simple recipe
  • With supervision, perform most tasks in simple recipes (except using a hot oven)

  Grades 4 and 5:

  • Use a can opener, vegetable peeler and microwave
  • Prepare simple recipes with few ingredients

  Grades 6 to 8:

  • Prepare recipes without help
  • Use a blender, oven, stove, grater and knife

• How do I encourage children to taste new foods?

  Some children are very cautious about trying new foods. You may need to offer some children specific foods on 10 or more occasions before they feel comfortable enough to try them. Children are more likely to try food when they help prepare it and are allowed to experience the food on their own terms. Allowing children to taste food on their own terms encourages a positive experience for everyone.