Homeschooling provides an amazing opportunity to merge your child’s interests with your daily surroundings to create a unique learning environment and even instill some valuable life skills. If your child has shown an interest in the culinary arts, there are many ways you can incorporate cooking and food into your homeschool plan.
Why You Should Incorporate Cooking Into Your Homeschool Plan
If you’re a homeschooling parent, adding a culinary arts course for your child has several advantages.
1. Vital Life Skill
When you teach your kids to cook, you are instilling a valuable life skill. This is something that can serve them in the future when they provide for themselves and their families. But, considering that 10% of all jobs are in the food service industry, it is also a marketable skill.
2. Teaches Good Habits
Cooking teaches your kids good habits, like acting responsibly and being patient. You can also teach them about healthy eating and preparing meals on a budget.
3. Incorporates Other Subjects
Cooking lessons will also incorporate other subjects, such as math and science. Your students will use math in budgeting and measuring. They will use science when learning about different ingredients and the way they interact with each other.
7 Tips for Homeschoolers Interested in the Culinary Arts
Regardless if your student pursues a career in the culinary arts or not, the skills they learn through cooking will enrich their overall homeschool experience. Here are some tips for your homeschoolers interested in the culinary arts:
1. Add Cooking Safety Lessons
Introduce your child to cooking by adding some home cooking lessons to their day, which will include everything from cooking safety to food preparation and serving. Consider starting with how to safety handle kitchen knives and appliances in order to prevent accidents while cooking.
2. Include International Recipes
As you study other countries and cultures, this is a great opportunity to explore some international recipes.
3. Explore Food Science
Consider integrating science and food to teach your child how food changes when it’s cooked, where and how it’s grown, and other interesting aspects of the different things we consume.
4. Focus on Meal Planning & Shopping
Involve your child in meal planning and grocery shopping so they can learn about what it takes to get a meal onto the table. Incorporate nutritional elements so your homeschooler can learn about the impact of the types of food they make and eat.
5. Tour Local Bakeries and Restaurants
During slow times of the year or day, a local bakery or restaurant may allow your child to take a tour and observe how things operate in a business’s kitchen.
6. Meet With a Professional Baker or Chef
If you have a professional baker or chef in your area, ask if they can spare some time to demonstrate some methods for your child.
7. Visit Kitchen Specialty Stores
Visit local kitchen specialty shops so your child can learn more about different cooking utensils and appliances.
Get the Homeschooling Help and Support You Need in South Carolina
While these suggestions can help nurture your child’s interest in the culinary arts, you don’t have to do everything on your own. The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) provides encouragement, support, and curriculum for homeschooling parents and their children throughout the state.
For more than 30 years, we have been providing valuable resources like academic programs, curriculum assistance, bookstore discounts, reporting, and more. Contact us to learn more about SCAIHS membership benefits, and let us help you make your homeschooling journey a success.