sarahtraversFrom the Kitchen to the Classroom: Using Recipes to Encourage Reading
Listen on your chosen podcast player
In this episode of the Reading Made Delicious podcast, host Sarah Travers explains why she believes recipes are a powerful tool for teaching children to read. She highlights how recipes provide a clear, practical purpose for reading, engaging children’s senses and making learning more meaningful. By involving kids in cooking, they can practice reading in a hands-on way, following instructions and understanding measurements. Sarah emphasizes that many existing “kids’ recipes” are too complex for early readers, which is why she focuses on creating simple, decodable recipes that kids can actually read and use.
In this episode about using recipes for learning to read:
1. Recipes Make Reading Purposeful
Sarah emphasizes that reading needs a purpose for children to truly engage with it. Recipes provide that context by allowing kids to apply their reading skills in a practical way, helping them understand the importance of reading beyond schoolwork.
2. It’s Hard to Find Accessible Reading Resources
As a parent, it can be challenging to find non-fiction resources that match your child’s reading level and interests. Sarah explains how recipes offer an easy and practical solution, allowing kids to engage with reading material that isn’t dependent on a specific topic or interest.
3. Many Recipes Aren’t Age-Appropriate for Early Readers
While there are plenty of “kid-friendly” recipes available online, many of them are too difficult for early readers to follow on their own. Sarah highlights the need for simple, decodable recipes that children can read and understand without constant adult intervention.
4. Recipes Bridge the Gap Between Fiction and Non-Fiction
Many children’s books are based on specific topics that may not appeal to every child, but recipes offer a universal and flexible way to practice reading. Since cooking is something children are familiar with, it becomes a natural way to encourage reading without relying on topic-specific books.
Reading Made Delicious Resources to help support you
- Download the ultimate guide to using recipes for learning to read and get started with helping your child.
- Check out the latest read-to-cook recipes and reading support here
Join our Reading Made Delicious Podcast Community to grow your child’s reading and early learning:
Send me a DM on Instagram. I love chatting with families (and other educators). So send me a message about using recipes for learning to read.
Enjoying the podcast? Thanks for tuning in!
Tag me @reading_made_delicious on Instagram and tell me what you are listening to! I love seeing what resonates most with our listeners!
I don’t want you to miss a thing! Be the first to know when an episode is available by subscribing to your favourite player here Apple Podcasts – Spotify – Amazon Music
If you would like to support the Reading Made Delicious Podcast, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a review on iTunes. By leaving a review, you are helping more families to find this and help support their child’s learning journey.
To leave a review on iTunes, click here and scroll down to ratings and reviews. Click ‘write a review’ and share with me how this podcast is helping you grow your child’s learning.
Ready for more? Listen to these Reading Made Delicious Podcast Episodes next:
Content Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this episode are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast. Sarah Travers disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this episode.