Nursery World - In the mix (4)

Disabled children can gain just as much as anyone from preparing food, and so can children with challenging behaviour, writes Fiona Hamilton-Fairley It is a sad fact that owing to poor facilities, fears for health and safety and a general lack of confidence, disabled children are rarely given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the kitchen, preparing and cooking delicious food. But I am particularly passionate about giving such children the chance to enjoy cookery. All children surely have the same right to learn alongside their peers, and cookery is an essential life skill. Everyone benefits from being involved in it, no matter how small or great their needs may be.

It is a sad fact that owing to poor facilities, fears for health and safety and a general lack of confidence, disabled children are rarely given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the kitchen, preparing and cooking delicious food. But I am particularly passionate about giving such children the chance to enjoy cookery. All children surely have the same right to learn alongside their peers, and cookery is an essential life skill. Everyone benefits from being involved in it, no matter how small or great their needs may be.

At the Kids Cookery School (KCS) in Acton, west London, which I run, 27 per cent of the children in our teaching schedules have special needs. The children's disabilities range from autism to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, Down's syndrome and specific learning difficulties, as well as children with physical, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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