When my daughter and son were little, we spent time making cookies and memories. Along the way there were messes but also great learning experiences. I now enjoy teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade students nutrition lessons at afterschool programming for ISU Extension and Outreach.
We learn how to make nutritious snacks together. My Grandma used to make meals with a pinch of this and a dab of that and it always came out tasting great. The kids are learning that measurements can sometimes impact recipes though. One of the students’ favorite recipes is Oatmeal Pancakes. When making this recipe, they learn about dry and liquid measurements, what cup to use for each, how to read a recipe and what each abbreviation means. C for cup, T for tablespoon, t for teaspoon etc.
After reading the recipe together they are given all the ingredients and tools to work in small groups. This hands-on approach can be fun and educational. Practicing kitchen math and conversions can be a learning adventure. We usually have some spills, and the groups can end up with different consistencies of batter, which we learn how to correct. They love getting to mix, pour, flip and enjoy their pancakes with syrup and fresh fruit. At the end of several weeks of learning together, the kids increase their knowledge about nutrition and cooking skills and learn how to clean up a mess or two.
Educating and making memories with my students is great, but making memories and a little mess in the kitchen with my grandkids is the best. Spills can be cleaned up but memories last a lifetime. The cookies I used to make with my kids, now I’m making with my grandkids, and those memories are even better.
This article was written by Julie Carstens.
Julie is a grandmother, mother and nutrition educator who specializes in fostering cooking confidence.
