Key Stage 2: 7-11 Years Cooking
Lets get Ready to Cook
There are some basic rules you should follow before starting to cook
- Tie back long hair.
- Roll up long sleeves.
- Remove all jewellery and nail varnish.
- Wear an apron to protect your clothes.
- Wash your hands before, during and after cooking, especially if you have been handling raw meat.
- Get all your ingredients ready and weighed out these are what you need to make the recipe.
- Wash all fruit and vegetables especially salad ingredients.
- Get all the equipment you need ready before you start.
- Wash sharp items separately – never put sharp knives in the washing up bowl, you might forget they are there and hurt yourself or someone else.
- Walk, don’t run in the kitchen.
- Don’t leave all the washing up until the end! Wash up and wipe the work surfaces as you go along.
- Be careful with sharp knives. If you are not used to using a knife ask a grown up to help you or chop for you, and to teach you the correct and safe way to chop and slice – see below. Young children can grate an onion or carrot instead of chopping it.
- When using a sharp knife use the correct method for the food you are chopping. Ensure the blade of your knife is facing downwards.
Place the item such as a strawberry on the chopping board. Make a bridge over it with your hand – your fingers should be one side and your thumb on the other side. Guide your knife under the bridge and over the food. Press down and pull the knife along the strawberry, you might like to think of the knife as a train which goes under the bridge! This is suitable to cut things like potatoes, tomatoes and courgettes.
To cut the courgette strips or food into chunks use the claw method. Place the food on the board, make a claw with your hand by partly curling your fingers together. Tilt the knife blade downwards and slice through the courgette using your fingers/ claw to hold the courgette. Slide your fingers back keeping a grip on the food, as you slice downwards.
Along with the skills suggested for 3 – 5 and 5 – 7 year olds, when children reach 8+, they can start to get involved with planning and undertake activities with a bit more independence.
Supervision is still key due to the number of hazards in the kitchen but take a hands off approach where possible.
Activities to try with 8 – 11 year olds
- Planning the family meal
- Following a simple recipe
- Finding ingredients in the cupboards and fridge
- Using a peeler
- Whisking, using a balloon whisk or handheld mixer
- Using heat on a hob, oven and microwave
- Making salads
- Opening cans
Gradually introduce your children to the above and make sure they are aware of the dangers involved. If you feel they are not ready, hold off for a while. Cuts and burns are common in the kitchen so always keep an eye on them. However capable they may be, it’s easy to get distracted or try to rush an activity.
Key Stage 2 7-11 Years
What is Welsh Lamb Cawl?
Traditional Cawl recipes are found in every town throughout Wales. Discover this historical Welsh dish.
Welsh Lamb Cawl Recipe
Let’s get cooking! Here's our traditional style recipe for you to try out.
You can find out more about healthy eating with these fun activities.