Cooking with your kids is not just about having fun, entertaining them
so they're not bored, or encouraging them to help out around the house.
(Although it does all of these things!) Cooking with your children also
teaches them the importance of eating foods that are healthy for their
growing bodies and minds, and shows them that it's easy (not to mention
fun!) to cook food rather than throw a pre-packaged meal in the
microwave. Remember, teaching them these important lessons now sets them
up to maintain a healthy lifestyle later in life!
Cooking and eating together as a family has many benefits. Here are just a few:
1. Research shows that kids who eat dinner with their families at least
five times a week are more likely to have better grades than those who
don't. And that's regardless of gender, family structure, or economic
status!
2. Eating in a family setting frequently makes it easier for parents to develop strong relationships with their children and spot behavioral changes in them, which can be signs of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drug use.
3. Build confidence in your middle schooler by telling stories at the dinner table. Research indicates that those whose parents share anecdotes with them have higher self-esteem and get along better with their peers during their teenage years.
4. Families who watch TV while eating dinner together tend to have poorer diets than those who dine together around a table. So gather everyone up and be automatically healthier!
Cooking together is a natural precursor to eating together, so don't be shy to mention the idea. In fact, if you have young children, make it a habit!
From: http://www.modernmom.com/article/cooking-healthy-with-your-kids
Cooking and eating together as a family has many benefits. Here are just a few:
2. Eating in a family setting frequently makes it easier for parents to develop strong relationships with their children and spot behavioral changes in them, which can be signs of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drug use.
3. Build confidence in your middle schooler by telling stories at the dinner table. Research indicates that those whose parents share anecdotes with them have higher self-esteem and get along better with their peers during their teenage years.
4. Families who watch TV while eating dinner together tend to have poorer diets than those who dine together around a table. So gather everyone up and be automatically healthier!
Cooking together is a natural precursor to eating together, so don't be shy to mention the idea. In fact, if you have young children, make it a habit!
From: http://www.modernmom.com/article/cooking-healthy-with-your-kids
