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Kids Can Cook!

By Nicole Fetterly, RD

As a campus dietitian and nutrition instructor, I have encountered thousands of students in the first-time-living-away-from-home stage of their life. Although they come from so many different places and backgrounds, one thing that is all too common among them is they do not know how to eat well. Most have never selected or shopped for their groceries and they lack cooking skills, and this leads to ultra-processed, convenient food choices that cannot support their health or academic goals.

Setting children up for a lifetime of success in the realm of nutrition and health is all about building food literacy from the youngest age. The more they learn about growing, selecting and cooking their food, the better eaters they will be. Get them involved in grocery shopping, gardening and cooking as soon as possible. Although it takes some effort at the start, in terms of giving them learning opportunities rather than doing it more quickly by yourself, the pay off is exponential! At age 11, my daughter can now make our family a day’s worth of meals, with very little support, and my son, at age 8, is constantly inspired by new recipes like his latest foray into Brazilian cheese buns. Yes, their mom is a dietitian and food writer so good food is a big focus in our family, but anybody can help build food literacy.

Here are some of the kitchen skills children are capable of by age or in terms of learning sequence:

Two and three year olds are learning to use the large muscles in their arms and can help with these activities:

  • Wiping table & counter tops
  • Moving pre-measured ingredients from one place to another
  • Rinsing and tearing leafy greens
  • Mixing ingredients (use an extra-large bowl to contain mess)
  • Kneading dough and simple shaping
  • Putting scraps in the compost and trash in the garbage can

Four and five year olds are learning to control smaller muscles in their fingers.  Offer experiences such as:

  • Setting the table
  • Mashing soft fruits (bananas) and cooked vegetables with a fork
  • Forming rounds shapes with hands and arranging platters
  • Measuring ingredients
  • Peeling loose-skinned oranges and hard-cooked eggs
  • Beating eggs with a whisk

Six to eight year olds are learning more responsibility, literacy and dexterity and can get involved in:

  • Making grocery lists
  • Learning to use small knives with supervision (start with softer items to cut)
  • Clearing the table and loading the dishwasher
  • Making simple dishes like sandwiches, quesadillas, nachos, scrambled eggs
  • Filling muffin cups

Eight to twelve year olds should be gaining the skills to cook relatively independently, with supervision for use of the stove and large, sharp knives. Encourage them to select recipes to try and get them packing their own lunches. Have them help create the meal plan and grocery list for the week and eventually they might take responsibility for a family meal, even if it’s just a smoothie to start.

The more opportunities children are given to develop food literacy and these foundational skills, the better their relationship with food for their entire lives.

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@return mixed

Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:26
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Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:68
    →public __get($field) -> mixed
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@return mixed

Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:35
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Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:15
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Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:81
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    Can you edit this post/term/user? Well good for you. You're no better than me.
@example
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<a href="{{ post.edit_link }}">Edit</a>
{% endif %}
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```html
<a href="http://example.org/wp-admin/edit.php?p=242">Edit</a>
```
@return bool

Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:100
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    @api
@return array

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:361
    →public description() 
    @api
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:369
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    @api
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:383
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@return array

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:331
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@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:229
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Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:125
    →public get_link() -> string
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@deprecated since 1.0
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:265
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@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:238
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@return array

Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:115
    →public get_path() -> string
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@deprecated since 1.0
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:256
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@internal
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@return array|bool|null

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:283
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$post = new Timber\Post()
$post->import(data);
echo $post->airplane; //757-200
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@param array|object $info an object or array you want to grab data from to attach to the Timber object

Inherited from Timber\Core
Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Core.php:59
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    Returns a full link to the term archive page like
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@api
@example
```twig
See all posts in: <a href="{{ term.link }}">{{ term.name }}</a>
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@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:398
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    Retrieves and outputs meta information stored with a term. This will use
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has its own table. If retrieving a special ACF field (repeater, etc.) you
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@api
@param string $field_name
@example
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<div class="location-info">
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<p>{{ term.meta('address') }}</p>
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@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:421
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    Returns a relative link (path) to the term archive page like
`/category/news`
@api
@example
```twig
See all posts in: <a href="{{ term.path }}">{{ term.name }}</a>
```
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:435
    →public posts($numberposts_or_args = 10, $post_type_or_class = any, $post_class = "") -> array|bool|null
    Gets posts that have the current term assigned.

@api
@example
```twig
<h4>Recent posts in {{ term.name }}</h4>

<ul>
{% for post in term.posts(3, 'post') %}
<li>
<a href="{{ post.link }}">{{ post.title }}</a>
</li>
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If you need more control over the query that is going to be performed, you can pass your
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```twig
<h4>Our branches in {{ region.name }}</h4>

<ul>
{% for branch in region.posts({
posts_per_page: -1,
orderby: 'menu_order'
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<li>
<a href="{{ branch.link }}">{{ branch.title }}</a>
</li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
```

@param int|array $numberposts_or_args Optional. Either the number of posts or an array of
arguments for the post query that this method is going.
to perform. Default `10`.
@param string $post_type_or_class     Optional. Either the post type to get or the name of
post class to use for the returned posts. Default
`any`.
@param string $post_class             Optional. The name of the post class to use for the
returned posts. Default `Timber\Post`.
@return array|bool|null

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:487
    →public title() 
    @api
@return string

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:495
    →public update($key, $value) 
    
@param string  $key
@param mixed   $value

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:348
    →protected static get_tid($tid) -> int|array
    @internal
@param int $tid
@return int|array

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:199
    →protected get_term($tid) -> mixed
    @internal
@param int|object|array $tid
@return mixed

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:161
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@return integer

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:108
    →protected get_term_meta($tid) -> array
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@param int $tid
@return array

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:150
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@param int $tid

Defined in <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/timber-library/lib/Term.php:125
→ Called from <ROOT>wp-content/themes/zoomer/blocks/related-items/display.php:54
  1. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/advanced-custom-fields-pro/pro/blocks.php:831
  2. <ROOT>wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php:341 [acf_block_render_template()]
  3. <ROOT>wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php:365 [WP_Hook->apply_filters()]
  4. <ROOT>wp-includes/plugin.php:522 [WP_Hook->do_action()]
  5. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/advanced-custom-fields-pro/pro/blocks.php:794 [do_action()]
  6. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/advanced-custom-fields-pro/pro/blocks.php:679 [acf_render_block()]
  7. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/advanced-custom-fields-pro/pro/blocks.php:590 [acf_rendered_block()]
  8. <ROOT>wp-includes/class-wp-block.php:599 [acf_render_block_callback()]
  9. <ROOT>wp-includes/blocks.php:2383 [WP_Block->render()]
  10. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/blocksy-companion-pro/framework/premium/features/render-custom-post-type.php:276 [render_block()]
  11. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/blocksy-companion-pro/framework/premium/features/render-custom-post-type.php:215 [Blocksy\CustomPostTypeRenderer->get_content_unfiltered()]
  12. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/blocksy-companion-pro/framework/premium/features/content-blocks/renderer.php:11 [Blocksy\CustomPostTypeRenderer->get_content()]
  13. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/blocksy-companion-pro/framework/premium/features/content-blocks.php:457 [Blocksy\ContentBlocksRenderer->get_content()]
  14. <ROOT>wp-content/plugins/blocksy-companion-pro/framework/premium/features/content-blocks.php:427 [Blocksy\ContentBlocks->output_hook()]
  15. <ROOT>wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php:341 [Blocksy\ContentBlocks->Blocksy\{closure}()]
  16. <ROOT>wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php:365 [WP_Hook->apply_filters()]
  17. <ROOT>wp-includes/plugin.php:522 [WP_Hook->do_action()]
  18. <ROOT>wp-content/themes/blocksy/inc/components/single/content-helpers.php:476 [do_action()]
  19. <ROOT>wp-content/themes/blocksy/template-parts/single.php:74 [blocksy_single_content()]
  20. <ROOT>wp-includes/template.php:816
  21. <ROOT>wp-includes/template.php:749 [load_template()]
  22. <ROOT>wp-includes/general-template.php:206 [locate_template()]
  23. <ROOT>wp-content/themes/blocksy/single.php:17 [get_template_part()]
  24. <ROOT>wp-includes/template-loader.php:125
  25. <ROOT>wp-blog-header.php:19
  26. <ROOT>index.php:17
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