How have you set up your cooking center?

Question

I'm interesting in giving my preK students a cooking center option. I'd love to hear any ideas, books, or resources that you'd recommend.

Answer 1

I'm assuming you mean a cooking center with a fake kitchen set, and not somewhere with real food or kitchen? My class has a corner with a fake kitchen- pretend stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc. I have the fridge stocked with play food, plastic dishes and silverware in the cupboards and lots of bowls, pots and pans. My kids have fun having a restaurant and being a waiter or waitress, taking orders, cooking and bringing me my food. It's a great opportunity for pretend play and working together. I'm amazed by some of the things they come up with. We also have an actual kitchen where we do cooking activities. We stress the difference between this kitchen and the play one. We have a curriculum called Functional Cooking for Special Needs Students (something like that, I can't remember the exact name) that has picture recipes, questions about the recipes, but I teach a special education elementary Life Skills, so most of my resources are probably too advanced for your preK students. Always in a real kitchen, talk about safety rules, what things are dangerous (hot stove, knives), washing hands, and never touching food with hands unless necessary. We do this every time before they can even get anything out!

Answer 2

A center on their own??

I have done cooking activities with preschoolers.

They love it.

I love it!

Never set up a stand alone center though.

Here are some really good recipes/ activities.

http://www.creativekidscrafts.com/presch...

Appropriate Cooking Tasks by Age

Tasks for two-to three year olds:

    * Stir with a spoon

    * Shake ingredients in a plastic container with a tight cover

    * Use a butter knife to spread cream cheese, jelly or peanut butter

    * Mash boiled fruits and vegetables after they have cooled

    * Combine ingredients in a large bowl and mix

    * Make no-cook recipes such as sandwiches and salads

    * Practice using whisks, spatulas, strainers, colanders, wooden spoons, cookie cutters, and rolling pins.

Three-to-four year olds can safely do all of the above plus:

    * Use plastic measuring spoons and cups marked to the proper amounts

    * Cut soft fruits and boiled vegetables with plastic knives

    * Combine dry and wet ingredients using forks, whisks, spoons or rotary beaters

    * Pour liquids into containers with large openings such as colanders, blenders, or wide-mouth bowls

    * Use non-electric food grinders, choppers, and juicers