An excellent idea. I was always encouraged to help with meals and then moved on to cooking them. I think all children should be taught basic cooking, as young as possible, so their appreciation of food and nutrition comes gradually and naturally. I know its difficult and time consuming, but I believe that it creates such a family bond, that even if it only happens now and again its worth the attempt. One of the things I really remember as a kid was all going blackberrying, and then bringing the fruit home and making a pie or a crumble. We still do it to this day, (I made some blackberry ice cream on Friday with the last of last year's pickings as it happens), and it always takes me back to those happy childhood times.
It makes me so sad when I see family supermarket trolleys loaded to the gunnels with pack upon pack of pre-prepared food, and I wonder if the children ever get anything fresh and home cooked.