The impact of parent-child collaborative vegetable cooking on children’s psychological development: A lifespan developmental psychology perspective

This review examines the impact of parent-child collaborative cooking of vegetable dishes on children’s psychological development from a lifespan developmental psychology perspective. Based on a survey of 793 parents with children aged 3-12 years, participants were divided into three groups: those who cooked vegetable dishes with their children; those who cooked non-vegetable dishes together; and those with no collaborative cooking experience. The results demonstrated that children in the vegetable cooking group showed significantly higher scores in non-cognitive abilities, including self-control, assertiveness, cooperation, self-esteem, logical thinking, and curiosity (p < 0.05), than those in the other groups. Children’s active involvement in cooking processes (selecting, washing, tearing, cutting, cooking, seasoning, tasting, and plating vegetables) was particularly beneficial for psychological development. In addition, children in the vegetable cooking group showed significantly higher vegetable consumption (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that parent-child collaborative cooking of vegetable dishes not only enhances children’s psychological development, but it also promotes healthy eating habits that may contribute to long-term health benefits. Future research should explore how collaborative experiences with various community members beyond the family unit might influence psychological development throughout the lifespan.