Behind the Scenes: How I help my own child to learn to read with recipes (Ep. 37)

Recipes can help children read

Recipes can be a powerful tool for helping children learn to read.

One of the main reasons why recipes can be helpful for learning to read is that they provide a purpose for reading. 

Children need to learn to read so that they can access information and texts within wider society. By using recipes, children can learn to read in a way that is directly applicable to their daily lives. They can learn to read recipes so that they can help cook meals for their families or bake treats for special occasions.

Recipes can also make learning to read more fun.

 Decodable readers, which are often used to help children learn to read, can be quite boring. Recipes, on the other hand, offer a more engaging and interactive way of learning to read. Children can follow the steps of a recipe, using their reading skills to understand each instruction. They can also look at the pictures and visuals that accompany the recipe, which can help them to better understand the text.

In addition to being fun and purposeful, they can also be delicious. Cooking and baking are enjoyable activities that many children love to do. By using recipes to help children learn to read, parents and teachers can tap into this natural interest and use it to motivate children to read. Children will be excited to read a recipe if they know that it will result in a tasty treat that they can enjoy.

Of course, using recipes to help children learn to read does require some patience and planning. Parents and teachers need to take the time to create recipes that are appropriate for the child’s reading level, with clear and simple instructions that are broken down into manageable steps. They also need to supervise the child while they are cooking or baking, making sure that they are following the recipe correctly and staying safe in the kitchen.

Recipes for authentic reading practice

Once we started using recipes as a way to combine our love of cooking with needing to practice reading, we found that cooking together was a fun and authentic way to practice reading skills, as well as other skills like cooperation and following directions.

It is important to make the recipes simple and appropriate for the child’s reading level. Recipes can be used a way to apply and reinforce phonics skills, rather than just practicing them in isolation. By using recipes as a way to apply phonics skills in a real-life context, children are more likely to see the value and relevance of what they are learning.

Recipes can be used in the teaching cycle for phonics. Including being used to review previously learned sounds, teach new sounds, and apply phonics skills in a meaningful way. By using recipes in this way, children are more likely to develop mastery of phonics skills, which is essential for becoming a fluent reader.

Teaching with simple recipes
Break down the recipes into simple steps that are easy for children to follow.  By starting with the basic level, children can learn the foundational skills needed to read and follow recipes. As they progress through the levels, they can build upon these skills and become more confident in their ability to read and interpret recipes.

By using recipes as a tool for reading practice, children are motivated by the desire to create something delicious, creating intrinsic motivation. This natural motivation can help children stay engaged and focused as they work through the recipe.

In addition to providing a purpose for reading, recipes can also be used to teach other important skills, such as cooking and kitchen safety. It is import to set up the kitchen for success, by providing appropriate tools and ensuring that children can access the kitchen safely.

Praise progress and provide positive feedback to children as they learn to read and cook. By creating a supportive and encouraging environment, parents and teachers can help children develop a love of reading and cooking that will last a lifetime.

Teach reading with cooking skills
Teaching children to read can be a daunting task, but using recipes as a teaching tool can make the process more enjoyable and purposeful. Cooking provides a practical way for children to apply their reading skills and learn new vocabulary. Additionally, cooking with children can foster a strong bond between parent and child and provide an opportunity for valuable life skills to be learned.

We should focus on the progress the child is making, no matter how small, and offer praise and encouragement. By highlighting the little successes, such as breaking an egg or finding the numbers on a recipe, parents can build their child’s confidence and motivation to continue learning.

In conclusion, the podcast offers valuable insights into the benefits of using recipes as a tool for teaching children to read. By incorporating cooking into the learning process, parents can make reading more enjoyable and purposeful for their child. With positive feedback and encouragement, children can develop important reading and cooking skills that will serve them well throughout their lives