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Kitchen & Food

35 skills across all age groups in this category

The Newborn

The Newborn

Age 0 (0-12 months)

1 skills

#6 First Foods & Self-Feeding

Role Model: Daniel Tiger
Resource: "Baby-Led Weaning" by Gill Rapley

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Interest in Food
Shows interest in food, opens mouth for spoon
2
First Tastes
Accepts purees or soft foods from spoon
3
Finger Foods
Picks up soft foods and brings to mouth
4
Texture Tolerance
Tolerates different food textures without gagging
5
Self-Feeding Mastery
Self-feeds a variety of textures using pincer grasp
Click to see sub-goals
The Toddler

The Toddler

Age 1 (12-24 months)

1 skills

#31 Spoon & Fork Use

Role Model: Maria Montessori
Resource: "The Montessori Toddler" by Simone Davies

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Holds spoon and brings to mouth (with spills)
2
Developing
Scoops food independently with spoon
3
Mastery
Uses spoon and fork with minimal spills
Click to see sub-goals
The Explorer

The Explorer

Ages 2-3

8 skills

#56 Using Knives

Role Model: Charlotte Mason
Resource: "Danish children learn to use knives" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Uses a butter knife to spread jam or butter
2
Developing
Uses a child-safe nylon knife to cut soft fruits
3
Mastery
Uses a small paring knife to chop soft vegetables with supervision
Click to see sub-goals

#57 Food Preparation

Role Model: Julia Child
Resource: "The French Chef" (YouTube clips)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Peels a banana or clementine independently
2
Developing
Assembles a simple sandwich or pours own cereal
3
Mastery
Prepares a personal snack plate with multiple components
Click to see sub-goals

#58 Cooking Basics

Role Model: Gordon Ramsay
Resource: "Gordon Ramsay's Kid Friendly Recipes" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps with stirring, pouring, and washing vegetables
2
Developing
Cracks an egg into a bowl and whisks it
3
Mastery
Makes simple scrambled eggs on a low-heat cooktop with supervision
Click to see sub-goals

#59 Setting Table

Role Model: Emily Post
Resource: "Emily Post's Etiquette" (Children's section)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Carries own unbreakable plate and utensils to the table
2
Developing
Sets their own place setting (plate, cup, napkin, fork)
3
Mastery
Sets the table for the entire family with all components
Click to see sub-goals

#60 Clearing Table

Role Model: Marie Kondo
Resource: "Japan's School Lunch Program" (Documentary)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Carries own plate to the sink after meals
2
Developing
Clears own place, scrapes plate into compost
3
Mastery
Helps clear the entire table and load the dishwasher
Click to see sub-goals

#61 Serving Food

Role Model: José Andrés
Resource: Family mealtime traditions

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Serves self from a communal bowl using tongs
2
Developing
Helps serve other family members by passing dishes
3
Mastery
Pours water for everyone at the table from a small pitcher
Click to see sub-goals

#62 Pouring Drinks

Role Model: Prince George
Resource: Montessori pouring exercises (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Pours water from a small pitcher into a cup with some spilling
2
Developing
Pours accurately with minimal spilling
3
Mastery
Pours various beverages for self and others without spilling
Click to see sub-goals

#63 Kitchen Safety

Role Model: Mom Tiger
Resource: Fire station tour or educational visit

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Understands "hot" and stays away from the stove
2
Developing
Knows which kitchen tools are safe to use independently
3
Mastery
Can identify and articulate kitchen hazards
Click to see sub-goals
The Apprentice

The Apprentice

Ages 4-5

8 skills

#102 Intermediate Cooking

Role Model: Jacques Pépin
Resource: "Jacques Pépin's Advice for Cooking with Kids"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Follows a simple, picture-based recipe
2
Developing
Measures liquid and dry ingredients accurately
3
Mastery
Cooks a simple meal on the stove with supervision
Click to see sub-goals

#103 Advanced Knife Skills

Role Model: Buddy Oliver
Resource: "The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Safely chops harder vegetables with supervision
2
Developing
Uses the "claw" grip for holding food
3
Mastery
Assists in dicing an onion or mincing garlic
Click to see sub-goals

#104 Packing Lunches

Role Model: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Resource: "Bento Box Lunch Ideas" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Packs own snack for school or outing
2
Developing
Packs entire lunch from pre-approved items
3
Mastery
Plans and packs a balanced lunch independently
Click to see sub-goals

#105 Baking

Role Model: Duff Goldman
Resource: "ATK's Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps with all stages of baking
2
Developing
Follows a recipe to bake cookies from a mix
3
Mastery
Bakes a simple item from scratch
Click to see sub-goals

#106 Meal Planning

Role Model: Jamie Oliver
Resource: "Budget Bytes" (Website)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps choose dinner from options provided
2
Developing
Suggests meals for the week
3
Mastery
Creates a simple meal plan considering nutrition
Click to see sub-goals

#107 Grocery Shopping

Role Model: Bert and Ernie
Resource: Grocery store scavenger hunt printables

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps find items on shopping list
2
Developing
Compares prices and chooses best value
3
Mastery
Creates shopping list from meal plan
Click to see sub-goals

#108 Food Storage

Role Model: Khloé Kardashian
Resource: "Food Safety for Kids" (USDA)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Puts groceries away in correct locations
2
Developing
Understands refrigerator vs. pantry storage
3
Mastery
Checks expiration dates and rotates stock
Click to see sub-goals

#109 Dishwashing

Role Model: Jon Bon Jovi
Resource: Family routine

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Rinses dishes and loads dishwasher properly
2
Developing
Washes dishes by hand with supervision
3
Mastery
Manages entire dishwashing process
Click to see sub-goals
The Maker

The Maker

Ages 6-8

13 skills

#151 Full Meal Preparation

Role Model: Gordon Ramsay
Resource: "MasterChef Junior" (TV show)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Plans and cooks a simple, complete meal
2
Developing
Follows a complex recipe with multiple steps
3
Mastery
Creates own simple recipes
Click to see sub-goals

#152 Baking from Scratch

Role Model: Paul Hollywood
Resource: "Paul Hollywood's Bread" (Book)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Bakes bread or cake from scratch
2
Developing
Troubleshoots baking issues
3
Mastery
Bakes a multi-layer cake or artisanal loaf
Click to see sub-goals

#160 Grill & BBQ

Role Model: Aaron Franklin (BBQ legend)
Resource: "Franklin Barbecue" (Book)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Understands grill safety
2
Developing
Helps prepare food for grilling
3
Mastery
Grills burgers and vegetables with supervision
Click to see sub-goals

#161 Ingredient Preparation

Role Model: Samin Nosrat
Resource: "The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs" / "Julia Child: Lessons with Master Chefs"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Washes, peels, and sorts ingredients
2
Developing
Measures and portions ingredients accurately
3
Mastery
Preps all ingredients for a complete recipe independently
Click to see sub-goals

#162 Making Grilled Cheese

Role Model: Roy Choi
Resource: "America's Test Kitchen Kids" / "How to Make Perfect Grilled Cheese" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Assembles sandwich with bread, butter, and cheese
2
Developing
Cooks sandwich on stovetop with supervision, flipping at right time
3
Mastery
Makes perfect grilled cheese independently with golden crust and melted cheese
Click to see sub-goals

#163 Making Scrambled Eggs

Role Model: Gordon Ramsay / Jacques Pépin
Resource: "Gordon Ramsay's Scrambled Eggs" (YouTube) / "Jacques Pépin's Omelette"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Cracks eggs into bowl and whisks
2
Developing
Cooks scrambled eggs on low heat with constant stirring
3
Mastery
Makes creamy, restaurant-quality scrambled eggs
Click to see sub-goals

#164 Cooking Pasta

Role Model: Massimo Bottura
Resource: "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Boils water, adds pasta, and sets timer
2
Developing
Tests pasta for doneness and drains properly
3
Mastery
Makes pasta with simple sauce (butter, olive oil, or jarred sauce)
Click to see sub-goals

#165 Cooking Burgers

Role Model: George Motz
Resource: "The Burger Lab" (Serious Eats) / "Kenji's Smash Burger" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Forms patties and seasons with salt and pepper
2
Developing
Cooks burgers on grill or stovetop to desired doneness
3
Mastery
Makes smash burgers with crispy edges and proper cheese melt
Click to see sub-goals

#166 Making Pizza

Role Model: Chris Bianco
Resource: "The Pizza Bible" by Tony Gemignani / "Ooni Pizza School" (YouTube)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Stretches pre-made dough and adds toppings
2
Developing
Makes pizza dough from scratch
3
Mastery
Bakes pizza in oven or outdoor pizza oven with proper technique
Click to see sub-goals

#167 Food Preservation

Role Model: Amanda Feifer
Resource: "Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving"

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps with canning or freezing produce
2
Developing
Understands principles of food preservation
3
Mastery
Preserves harvest through canning, freezing, or drying
Click to see sub-goals

#168 International Cuisine

Role Model: Anthony Bourdain
Resource: "Parts Unknown" (kid-friendly clips)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Tries foods from different cultures
2
Developing
Helps prepare dishes from different cuisines
3
Mastery
Cooks a complete meal from another culture
Click to see sub-goals

#169 Hosting Dinner

Role Model: Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)
Resource: "Barefoot Contessa" (Food Network)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps set table for a dinner party
2
Developing
Plans menu and helps prepare food
3
Mastery
Hosts dinner for family or friends
Click to see sub-goals

#170 Serving at Table

Role Model: Alfred Pennyworth
Resource: Restaurant etiquette guides

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Passes dishes correctly at family meals
2
Developing
Serves food to guests from serving dishes
3
Mastery
Acts as server for formal dinner
Click to see sub-goals
The Innovator

The Innovator

Ages 9-12

2 skills

#244 Gourmet Cooking

Role Model: Thomas Keller
Resource: "The French Laundry Cookbook" (inspiration)

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Cooks a multi-course gourmet meal
2
Developing
Butchers a whole chicken or fillets a fish
3
Mastery
Masters a complex culinary technique
Click to see sub-goals

#404 Fruit Preservation

Role Model: Marisa McClellan
Resource: "Food in Jars" by Marisa McClellan

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Helps make jams and preserves
2
Developing
Cans fruit safely using water bath method
3
Mastery
Preserves variety of fruits through multiple methods
Click to see sub-goals
The Trailblazer

The Trailblazer

Ages 13-15

2 skills

#422 Advanced Baking

Role Model: Paul Hollywood
Resource: "Bouchon Bakery" by Thomas Keller

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Bakes bread from scratch
2
Developing
Masters pastry techniques
3
Mastery
Creates complex baked goods independently
Click to see sub-goals

#423 Advanced Cooking

Role Model: Gordon Ramsay
Resource: "The Professional Chef" by CIA

Progressive Sub-Goals

1
Introduction
Cooks multi-course meals
2
Developing
Masters various cooking techniques
3
Mastery
Creates restaurant-quality dishes
Click to see sub-goals

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