Beginning my Research

What would be the best way to teach cooking to young students? Would technology make it easier or harder?

I first started my research by researching cooking programs for children. I found this youtube video about an organization called Kids Culinary Arts. Kids Culinary Arts started because many schools arts program's have been dropped, and to help the child obesity problem in the country. The program gets kids in the kitchen and teach them to make healthy food. While kids are cooking in the program, they are not only having fun, but also are planning, making decisions, solving problems, and leading others. It also helps with their reading, science, social studies, and health.

 After watching the video, I realized even more how pivotal cooking is for children's lives. Child obesity is a major problem int he United States presently. One way I could help that is by teaching elementary school children how to cook healthy. Once children realize how fun it is to cook healthy food, they will go home and tell their parents what they ate. Also, children will feel better by eating the health food instead of bad food. Kids Culinary Arts does exactly what I want to teach to my kids. The organization has the same motives I want to teach my kids. I want to teach my kids that cooking is fun. They will not even notice what they are eating is healthy because they will have so much fun while cooking. I need to complete further research on ways to make cooking fun, and what healthy recipres would be the most beneficial for them.

Watch the video to see what Kids Culinary Arts is about!

HEALTHY COOKING FOR KIDS 

Why Cooking?

When we were assigned to choose a topic for our 20% project, I had some difficulty deciding on a topic. Then after class I went home, and made myself a chopped salad. I grabbed vegetables in the fridge and started chopping them. As I was chopping, I was thinking what I could do with these veggies to incorporate them in my dinner. Then I was instantly struck with an idea for my project, my love for cooking. I have really enjoyed cooking since I have moved off campus 3 years ago. I especially love cooking with my mom and for other people. I taught my roommate everything I know about cooking, and now she loves it as much as I do. Once a week, one of my roommates cook for all of us, its a great way for all of us to get together, and to eat a healthy meal. I want to incorporate cooking and teaching into my 20% project. I think cooking and sitting around the dinner table and talking is really important, and I would love to teach children that. I love believe that cooking is important because it is a lot healthier than eating out. When you are cooking, you know every ingredient going into your recipe, while when you eat at a restaurant you do not know what exactly you are eating. I think its vital for children to learn about what they are eating. It also takes a lot of chemistry, knowing what tastes good together and what doesn't and how much to add or take out. I want to be able to teach young children about cooking, the importance of eating healthy, and the importance of eating at the table as a family. I'm excited about what my 20% project has in store for me.