Dinner time is a special moment for children, adults, and especially families. It provides an opportunity to connect, share stories about the day, and enjoy each other’s company. While mealtime may look different for every family, there are universal ways to promote communication in the kitchen.
This month, The ASHA Leader published an article showcasing how an SLP uses culinary instruction to help children build vocabulary, problem-solving abilities, and language skills. This post aims to provide families with practical strategies to promote expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language skills at home.
Strategies to Enhance Communication in the Kitchen:
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Descriptive Language: Encourage children to engage all their senses when describing ingredients. Ask them to talk about the appearance, texture, smell, and taste of the items they’re using.
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Critical Thinking & Social Communication: While children work in the kitchen, ask open-ended questions like, “Why do you think that’s happening?” or “How do you know it’s ready?” These questions help develop problem-solving and communication skills.
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Vocabulary Building: Create a menu board with the recipe of the day, key culinary terms, and important vocabulary. This visual tool reinforces learning and expands language use.
Cooking and mealtime offer a unique opportunity to incorporate communication skills into everyday routines, making learning both fun and practical.
Rose Ann Kesting, MA, CCC-SLP, is the owner of The Kidz Kitchen of New Jersey, and a school-based SLP in Central New Jersey. She is a member of Children’s Culinary Institute and features her junior chefs cooking and communicating on her Facebook and Instagram accounts: @thekidzkitchenofnj. rokesting@gmail.com
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2023, January 30). SLP shares communication strategies during cooking class. The ASHA Leader. https://leader.pubs.asha.org/