Tips for Targeting Language Skills During Cooking Activities

May 2023 Kristine Deworocki

Here is TRULY Why You Need to Start Cooking With Kids…

I’ve said it before, and I will kindly & confidently say it again.... There are so many benefits of cooking with kids that include (but are not limited to): promoting independence, supporting speech and language skills, and subconsciously making lasting memories.

In the blog post, 5 Reasons Why You Should be Cooking with Kids , I have laid out so many reasons why you need to start, like TODAY, actively cooking with your kids. The benefits last far longer than the short amount of time their tummies would be full from a nutritious snack you create together.

For all the juicy, insightful details about the five reasons to start cooking with kids, I encourage you to head over to the blog to read more in depth.

Let's target Vocabulary, Adjectives & Verbs!

There are so many ways and various activities you can use to target communication skills. As I am sure you already know, I am passionate about sharing how to combine cooking & communication. The two may seem like they don't go hand in hand; however, I can promise you...they ABSOLUTELY do.

Let's take a look at some tips for targeting Vocabulary, Adjectives, and Verbs during cooking activities. By using the tips below, you are providing a FUN(ctional) and positive environment for kids to grow, laugh, and thrive. Let’s dig into the three areas and the ways you can easily start targeting them through cooking.

1. Vocabulary

Use visuals

Come prepared with pictures of the ingredients and tools you will be using during your cooking activity.

Play a Game!

Keep all the ingredients "hidden", give clues and have them guess what each one is.
For example, "We need a yellow fruit that monkeys love".

TALK, TALK, TALK!

WHILE you are prepping and cooking, talk about what you see and feel. The more often they hear new vocabulary words, the better.
Come prepared with pictures of the ingredients and tools you will be using during your cooking activity.

2. Adjectives

USE ALL 5 SENSES!

While you are prepping and cooking, talk about how different foods & ingredients look, smell, taste, sound, & feel! For example, some words we could use to describe an apple are red, crunchy, round, sweet, smooth, green, cold, hard & delicious!

ADD ON ADJECTIVES!

Use a word your student says and add a describing word(s) to it. For example, if your student labels an "apple", repeat it back and say, "Yes! This is a red, juicy apple!"

3. Verbs

MODEL!

Label the actions that you are doing as you prep, eat and clean up the cooking activity. For example, "I'm cutting the red apple into small pieces".

ADD ON ACTIONS!

Use a word your student says and add a verb to it. For example, if your student says "apple", repeat it back and say, "cut apple" or "eat apple".

REPEAT OFTEN!

Emphasize and repeat your students' actions during the cooking activity. For example, "It's your turn to mix." "Wow! Great job mixing." "We need a spoon to mix".

I hope these simple and effective tips set you on your way to cooking success! Kids often times aren't even aware of the specific goals you are targeting which means, it's okay if things don't go as planned! I am confident that the kids you are working with will enjoy every minute of the hands-on learning experience and beg you for another chance to get in the kitchen to start cooking up communication. There is no right or wrong way to plan and execute a cooking activity, but I can assure you that once you get the ball rolling, language development will start flourishing!