AZ Kids Kitchen
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In Development — 1 pilot lesson available

Kitchen Basics

Kitchen Basics is the starting point of the AZ Kids Kitchen pathway. It introduces workspace safety, hand-washing routines, and the first simple meals — all with adult support. No knife or heat is required to complete this level.

Moving at your pace

Kitchen Basics is designed for 2 to 6 weeks at the learner's own pace — this is a suggested timeframe, not a deadline or advancement requirement.

  • 2 weeks: three short practices weekly
  • 4 weeks: one or two practices weekly, with time to repeat familiar meals
  • 6 weeks: roughly one new block weekly with familiar practice in between

Practices can be 15 to 30 minutes, or shorter if needed. There is no minimum time required.

Download Course Blueprint (PDF) — 6-page curriculum map for development and review (156 KB). It is not a finished full course; only the Build Your Own Sandwich pilot is developed.

Six planned learning blocks

1

Start Safely

Planned

Setting up the workspace, agreeing on help and pause signals, hand-washing practice, and checking that tools are clean and ready.

2

Simple Breakfast

Planned — needs full development

A familiar cold breakfast: a yogurt-and-applesauce bowl with usual bread and drink if wanted. Amounts are adult-preportioned and adjusted to the learner's usual meal. This block needs full action pictures and lesson development before it is ready.

Dairy, allergens, textures, and cold storage must be checked before each practice.

3

Simple Lunch

Pilot available

The first developed companion lesson, available as the Build Your Own Sandwich pilot (v0.3). A no-heat, no-knife practice with familiar ready-to-eat foods and adult support.

Try the Build Your Own Sandwich pilot lesson →
4

Repeat and Measure

Planned

Optional measuring of familiar ingredients — tablespoons and cups — as a step toward later levels. Repeating familiar meals and building comfort with the routine.

5

Knife Introduction — LATE and OPTIONAL

Planned

An optional block that may be introduced later in Basics, based on individual readiness — not triggered by week number or course completion. Requires a separate, active adult decision and active supervision. This lesson has not yet been developed.

Completing Kitchen Basics never requires knives. The future knife lesson is not yet developed, and no cutting tutorial is provided here. Whether any knife is appropriate is an individual, adult-supervised decision.

6

Put It Together

Planned

Combining a familiar breakfast and lunch routine using chosen supports, with the learner guiding their own participation.

Every practice session starts with safety checks and 20 seconds of soap-and-water hand-washing BEFORE handling ready-to-eat food. Hand-washing is repeated after any contamination. Food storage and cleanup are part of every session.

Working with your learner

Readiness is individual. Learners can repeat any block, choose only certain parts, and keep supports as long as needed — including pictures, communication devices, and adult presence. Help and pause signals are agreed on before starting.