Lisa
My friend recently began mentoring a very sweet tween who struggles with ADHD, dyslexia, and some confidence issues. During our discussion on things that might help this 12-year-old girl, I suggested cooking – specifically using physical cookbooks (not online recipes) as a way to possibly aid in addressing these challenges.
I’m not a doctor or therapist, but cooking (at least for me) provides a fun way to learn so many valuable skills and reinforce positive behaviors. It can also seem like less of a formal lesson, which can cause anxiety for children who are already often overwhelmed.
Using cookbooks offers yummy incentives that motivate struggling readers by knowing there’s a delicious dish at the end. They help children practice following directions, reading carefully, and building vocabulary (including math/measurement terms) because of the recipe format. Additionally, they can offer a sense of accomplishment that helps boost confidence.
Cooking can teach so many skills and good habits that translate to all areas of a child's life.
Provides cultural exposure to different backgrounds, traditions, and ways of thinking.
Recognition from a coach or mentor (or family) boosts self-worth and intrinsic motivation.
Aids in sharpening focus, discipline, and problem-solving abilities.
Improves attention span and impulse control.
Strengthens executive function skills such as planning, organization, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure.
Enforces goal-oriented behavior: setting targets, tracking progress, and adjusting strategy.
The repetitive cycle of “try, fail, practice, improve” builds grit and a growth mindset that helps children understand that mistakes are growth opportunities.
Getting Started
You probably don’t want to start with Julia Child’s infamous cassoulet recipe that takes 8 hours. But you can start with a fun and simple cookbook so your child experiences success quickly, which builds confidence. It can be specifically designed for kids, or one that focuses on children with ADHD, or just one you already own that is straightforward and easy.
The important thing is to use the cookbooks as part of a structured reading and cooking routine: choose a recipe together, have them read the ingredient list aloud, highlight key action words, ask them to explain a step in their own words, then get into cooking.
You can also have them create a simple chef journal where they write 1 to 2 sentences about each recipe: what they read, what they did, what they liked/didn’t like. This helps bridge from cooking to reading reflection.
It’s also positive reinforcement that after finishing a recipe, photograph the results, display them, and maybe let the child choose which recipe is next. This reward and visibility aid in motivation for kids with ADHD.
So when choosing a cookbook for your child, you should look for these features:
- Large, clear visuals/photos for each step
- Short, simple step instructions (ideally numbered)
- Ingredient lists and step lists that are easy to scan
- Some built-in checkboxes or space for tracking progress (optional but helpful)
- Recipes with fun, age-appropriate themes that they will want to try (increasing motivation)
- Maybe a viral social media recipe they saw on TikTok or YouTube (be sure print out the recipe)
When kids step into the kitchen, something magical happens; reading turns into doing, focus turns into fun, and mistakes turn into lessons worth savoring. Cooking gives kids with ADHD or learning differences a space to succeed on their own terms. The next time you cook together, remember: you’re not just feeding their bodies, you’re nourishing their minds and confidence too.
