Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- self-sufficient / ˈsɛlf səˈfɪʃ ənt / (adj.) – living or doing things without help from other people
Example:Taro wanted to be self-sufficient, so he found a job, rented an apartment, and started living alone.
- pay dividends / peɪ ˈdɪv ɪˌdɛndz / (idiom) – to bring good results in the future because of something done now
Example:Studying English every day will pay dividends in the future. You will be able to travel and work easily overseas.
- well-rounded / ˈwɛlˈraʊn dɪd / (adj.) – having a variety of skills, experience, or knowledge in different areas
Example:The school hired a well-rounded teacher who can teach both English and math and also coaches the soccer team.
- correlation / ˌkɔr əˈleɪ ʃən / (n.) – a connection or relationship between two things, where changes in one thing may cause changes in the other
Example:There is a strong correlation between exercise and good health. People who exercise regularly are usually healthier.
- fundamentals / ˌfʌn dəˈmen t̬əlz / (n.) – the main or most important parts of something
Example:Learning the fundamentals of math is important before you move on to more difficult topics.
Article
Read the text below.
To raise adventurous, self-sufficient and health-conscious eaters, get kids in the kitchen.
It may sound too simple, but those are just a few of the benefits when kids learn to cook. Cooking builds life skills, promotes healthy eating, boosts confidence and strengthens family bonds—all while making mealtime fun.
“It helps to think of it as less of a chore and more of an opportunity to be together as a family,” said Jessica Battilana, staff editor at King Arthur Baking Company, which offers adult and children’s cooking classes.
The food doesn’t need to be fancy, and it doesn’t all have to be homemade.
“The investment parents make early on to encourage their kids to participate in mealtime will pay dividends later, when they’re able to handle kitchen tasks independently,” Battilana said.
“It can feel special to kids to be included in an adult activity,” said Cristi Donoso, 38, from Alexandria, Virginia. Donoso is a speech therapist and encourages her clients to cook with their kids in age-appropriate ways. She’s also the mother to a 5-year-old, who has been baking with her since toddlerhood.
“There’s a lot of real-world learning involved,” Donoso said: math concepts, language skills and self-control. Kids learn by reading and following a step-by-step recipe. It takes concentration and other executive functioning skills. They also learn how to be safe in a kitchen, requiring self-control.
Exposure and sensory experience with food help kids become well-rounded eaters, she said.
“Your food experience isn’t just about sitting down to eat. It’s about making a list, going to the store, and feeling the fruit,” she said.
Childhood obesity rates have been rising for decades, and studies have shown a positive correlation between healthy eating and home cooking, which can be a good alternative to ultraprocessed foods.
Jennifer Schittino, a Maryland-based working mom of two young children, wants to help them shape healthier habits for the future.
“It’s both healthier and cheaper to cook from scratch,” she said. She also wants her children to “understand the fundamentals so they can make healthy and nutritious meals on a limited budget.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Cooking at home helps kids learn important life skills and builds family connections. If you were a parent, would you let your kids help you in the kitchen? Why or why not? What do you think stops parents from doing this? Discuss.
- Experts say including kids in cooking helps them feel proud and involved. In your country, how soon do kids learn how to do chores? Do you think children should help with household chores or should they focus on studies and playing? Why? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Parents say teaching kids to cook prepares them to live independently later. What do you think are other life skills that children should learn before becoming adults? Do you think schools do enough to prepare students for real life? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Cooking teaches kids math, reading, focus, and self-control through real-world practice. Aside from cooking, what other activities do you think teach children such lessons? In your opinion, can everyday activities be just as valuable as school lessons? How? Discuss.
