Cooking and Unschooling

Cooking and Unschooling...

What does one have to do with the other?

Unschoolers learn in many ways and from many sources!

(A basic description of unschooling : 

http://themoderndaythinkingmom.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-is-unschooling.html?m=1 )

One way Z learns is through cooking with me. We have been cooking together since she was 2 years old and it is a favorite pasttime. You may think, "Well that's sweet but what does that have to do with her education?" The answer to that is - EVERYTHING is a learning experience! 

To break down cooking as a "lesson" on a basic level here is a list of what kids learn when they help you cook :

• Math 

(Counting. Numbers. Addition. Subtraction. Fractions. Percentages. Measuring. Ect.)

• Science

(Cause and effect. Chemical reaction. How things mix and don't mix. Ect.)

• Reading 

(This one seems self explanatory.)

• Life Skills

(Planning. Preparation. Organization. Cooking. Frying. Baking. Measuring. Cleaning. Recognizing and understanding the use of each tool. Communication. Teamwork. Ect.)

• Motor Skills/Sensory

(Pouring. Mixing. Smooshing. Flipping. Using tongs. Scrubbing. Whisking. Sprinkling. Pinching. Rolling. Clipping. Ect.)

Those things are just off the top of my head, so I'm sure there are more. I also want to share an experience with you from the other night to show how much more there really is to unschooling interaction. 

The other night we decided to make my chicken casserole. I am not a good cook, so this one is one of our favorites. Also, I share that personal tid bit because I want you to understand that you do not have to be Suzie Homemaker to Unschool well!

Anyway, while making dinner my girl, Z, was shooting questions at me left and right. 

"What happens if you eat raw meat mom?"

"How many cups of rice do I need to add?"

"How many chunks of chicken are in there?"

Me, "I don't know why don't we count them together?"

"How many cups of water per cup of chicken broth?"

"Wait, you put cream of mushroom in there!? Why would you do that!?"

"Hey mom! There are 6 different types of veggies in this!"

"Why does the rice start out hard and end up soft?"

While we made this meal together, I answered each and every one to the best of my ability. And when I didn't know? I said, "I don't really know, let's find out!" and reached for my trusty smart phone.

We got into a couple of comprehensive discussions, as we often do.

Am I Supermom? Haha, no, not even close. This has simply become the norm in our every day life. It doesn't feel like anything "special" or "extra" because this is just what we do now.

This just one way, from one source, that unschooled children learn by living. EVERYTHING is a learning experience!

And just for fun, I'm adding some pictures of my amazing little girl doing most of the cooking (because I'm a terrible cook! Lol)

Okay, okay I'm done! But isn't she the cutest little chef you've ever seen?? AND now she's teaching little sister too! Another benefit to having more kids! ;-)