Continuing on from last month’s post, we have included a recipe for toast with strawberry jam for you to try!

You will need:

Tools:

Steps: 

1.

Put both slices of bread on the plate.

2.

Spread some strawberry jam on the bread.

3.

Put the bread together.

4.

Plug in the sandwich maker.

5.

Turn on the timer for 3 minutes.

6.

Timer beeps, press stop. Caution as the toaster is hot.

7.

Put the bread in the sandwich maker.

Close the sandwich maker.

8.

Turn on the timer for 1 minute 30 seconds.

9.

Open sandwich maker.

10.

Using tongs, remove the bread.

11.

Place on the plate.

12.

Plug off the sandwich maker.

The table below provides examples of skills that may be introduced to students of different age groups.

Cooking skills by age

PRE SCHOOL (2-5 YEARS)

They can begin to learn basic concepts that they will need in the kitchen.

Keep in mind that their attention span is short, so small tasks are usually best.

Some age-appropriate kitchen skills you can introduce are:

I.  Spreading butter and jam on the bread
II.  Stirring batter in a bowl
III.  Cutting soft fruits and vegetables with a dull knife or plastic knife

6-8 YEARS OLD

Can introduce the children to read a written recipe or visual recipe and follow the recipe.

Close and constant supervision is required for all tasks.

Some age-appropriate kitchen skills you can introduce are:

I.  Peeling fruits and vegetables by using a peeler
II.  Cracking eggs
III.  Measuring liquid and dry ingredients using measurement cup

9-12 YEARS OLD

Children can read a written or visual recipe, follow, and prepare the utensil tools, and ingredients.

They should be able to handle appliances and have basic knife skills.

Some age-appropriate kitchen skills you can introduce are:

I.  The use of appliances such as toast maker, electric kettle
II.  To cut fruits and vegetables with a knife
III.  To work with a kitchen timer

13-16 YEARS OLD

Teenagers should not need close supervision.

They can choose what they would like to cook.

Helping to prepare and cook for the family regularly.

Some age-appropriate kitchen skills you can introduce are:

I.  The use of kitchen appliances such as mixer, blender, oven
II.   Develop knife skills to chop, dice, and mince efficiently
III.   Follow a simple recipe from start to finish

By Noor Irni Hanida
Occupational Therapist