(ARA) – We have all had the pleasure of observing or interacting with children when they bring their imaginations to life. Children have the ability to openly express themselves without being easily embarrassed. They often create their own ideas, theories and interests independently. One way to support and sustain a child’s natural inclination towards creativity is to give them access to art education.

When a child receives quality art education, his or her ability to succeed in academic achievement is often interconnected, according to several studies.

The government is working to verify this connection, with the United States Department of Education funding a nationwide initiative called Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination. This program allows grant recipients to examine the value of arts education in strengthening academic achievement and learning in elementary and middle school students, and to identify and assess best practices.

A research study called “Thinking Through Art,” completed by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, was funded through the DOE’s grant. This study measured the impact of its multi-visit museum arts education program on the development and use of critical thinking skills in urban elementary students in grades 3 through 5. Its findings revealed a significant positive impact of arts education on critical thinking and learning for the students who participated.

The Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization, concluded from its study entitled “Learning, Arts, and the Brain” that the arts can train children’s attention, which in turn improves cognition and might even improve math and reading skills.

Unfortunately, art education is often the first thing cut during budget crises. Bob Buchsbaum, chief executive officer of Blick Art Materials states, “Without thinking of the long-run impact that the loss of art-based curriculum has on students, some schools are making cuts.”

Art-based curriculum cuts often leave parents looking for options outside of their children’s traditional schooling. Parents can consider alternatives that still provide valuable art instruction, such as grade-level specific lesson plans at www.dickblick.com and at other companies that cover a variety of ages and have inexpensive associated supply lists. While supplementing an art education for your child is helpful, Buchsbaum encourages parents to remember that supporting art education at their children’s local schools is the most direct way to provide for quality art education. Other opportunities for getting involved in your child’s art education include enjoying an art project or activity together, visiting a museum together or enrolling in a community center art class together.

You can learn more about the discussion around art education by visiting Art Ally, a Blick Art Materials-supported blog, and the National Arts Education Association Web site.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: art, Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination, Blick Art Materials, kids and art, Thinking Through Art

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(ARA) – Whether you’re a family of two or 10, there is no time like the present to create lasting family traditions. Like families, traditions come in many forms — from cooking to storytelling — and making new memories is easy and fun. Here are a variety of creative ways to get started.

Gather for a family baking day
Help ensure your tried and true family recipes continue on for generations with a family baking day. Have everyone meet in a central location and bring their favorite recipe and the ingredients to make it. Everyone will have the chance to learn about cherished recipes and leave with a goodie bag of treats.

Plan a family reunion
Annually, or every few years, gather relatives far and wide for an enjoyable time to reminisce, share photos, cook and eat together. Use the time to share favorite family stories and swap recipes. Make sure to take a group photo and share it with the participants and those who couldn’t be there.

Get tech-savvy
Get everyone involved in building and contributing to a family Web page or blog that highlights recent get-togethers, news, photos and favorite recipes. Online sites provide a great way to connect and keep long-distance relatives up-to-date and involved year round.

Host international family dinners
Pick one night a week to take the family on a culinary journey to another part of the world. From France to Italy to Greece to Thailand, there are countless meal options waiting to be explored. Experience more of the culture by learning some phrases associated with the meal, play authentic music and include some decorations. Bon appetit.

Make movie magic
Host monthly movie nights as a way for family to catch up and experience old classics and the latest blockbusters together. Include an ice cream sundae bar and movie snacks and schedule intermissions to talk about the movie and characters.

The J.M. Smucker Company believes in bringing families together to share memorable meals and moments, and wants to hear about your family recipes and traditions. Visit Smuckers.com to enter the “Spreading Smucker’s Traditions” contest and share your family-favorite recipes and memories. Until Oct. 12, you can enter a family recipe that has been handed down for at least two generations for a chance to win a five-day, four-night family trip for eight to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 states and Washington D.C., 18 years of age and older and is void where prohibited. See Web site for official rules and complete details.

Last year’s winning recipe, Nana’s Apple Butter Cake has been passed down for three generations.

Nana’s Apple Butter Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup water
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup Smucker’s Apple Butter
2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced into about 16 wedges
1 teaspoon cinnamon combined with 1/4 cup sugar

Streusel topping:
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup baking mix
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
Powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cake mix, water, eggs, oil and apple butter. Beat at low speed for one minute, to blend ingredients, and two minutes at high speed. Pour mix into greased/floured 9- by 13-inch pan.

Slice apples into a bowl and add cinnamon/sugar mixture, mixing until apples are well coated. Place apple slices (round side out/core side in) in the batter until just the top shows, in two rows of eight, the length of the pan.

Make streusel topping by combining brown sugar, baking mix, cinnamon and butter. Cut butter into mixture with pastry blender until crumbly.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle streusel topping over cake and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

For more recipes and to enter the “Spreading Smucker’s Traditions” contest, visit www.Smuckers.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Apple Butter Cake, Apple Butter Cake recipe, family traditions

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Tropical Parfait (recipe below)

(ARA) – Parents, let’s face it — the average child will never really fall in love with Brussels sprouts, broccoli or cauliflower. But few kids object to fruit, making it easier to help children tap into its wealth of health benefits.

Fruit fights childhood obesity, according to studies by Tufts and Baylor universities that linked high fruit and vegetable consumption by children with a lower body mass index. Fruit is naturally low in calories but high in nutrients like immune system boosting vitamin C, water and fiber, which helps children feel fuller and more energized with fewer calories. Federal dietary guidelines recommend five servings of fruit per day.

Here are some tips to help keep fruit exciting and easy for you and your children:

* Variety really can be the spice of life when it comes to fruit. Supermarkets now regularly offer exotic fruits that were once only found in top restaurants or specialty shops. So on your next supermarket excursion, allow your child to explore the more unusual fruits and choose one or two to try. You may find they adore star fruit and kumquats as much as apples and bananas.

* What child doesn’t like a smoothie? While you’re whipping up a fruit smoothie for your little one, take the opportunity to slip some other nutritious ingredients into the blender, like raw greens (kids think green smoothies are fun), low-fat yogurt for protein and calcium or flaxseed for fiber.

* Keep it simple and easy for both of you. The easier it is for you to present fruit and for your child to eat it, the more likely they are to indulge in it on a regular basis. Look for products and packaging that make fruit snacking easy as pie, like Dole’s All-Natural Jarred Fruit. You can bypass the cutting, slicing and peeling (how many kids have lost interest in their fruit snack by the time Mom finishes preparing it), and instead just open the jar and start enjoying the delicious, wholesome goodness of ready-to-eat fruit.

* Kids seem hard-wired to crave something sweet for breakfast, whether it’s good for them or not. Satisfy your youngster’s sweet tooth and your desire to ensure they have a good start each morning by incorporating fruit into your breakfast routine. Whether you serve up apple slices with peanut butter on the side for dipping, or top a pancake with some jarred fruit, you’ll be serving a breakfast that is fun and tasty as well as nutritious.

* Encourage kids to continue their healthful, fruity mindset throughout their daily lives. Starting Aug. 23, parents can log on to www.DoleMagic.com for a chance to win some fun prizes from top retailers. The site awards 60 daily prizes, eight weekly prizes and one grand prize – a six-night trip for three to Maui, with accommodations in a four-star hotel, rental car and $1,000 spending money.

To make kids feel like winners on a daily basis, try this child-friendly, fruity recipe:

Tropical Parfait

Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Makes two servings.

Ingredients:

1 jar (24.5 ounces) Dole Tropical Fruit
3/4 cup granola
1 carton (6 ounces) low-fat vanilla yogurt
Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Directions:

Drain 1 1/2 cups of the tropical fruit. In a parfait glass, place a layer of granola. Top it with a layer of tropical fruit, then a layer of yogurt. Repeat until glass is full. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Tropical Parfait, Tropical Parfait recipe

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(ARA) – Kids need more than new notebooks and pencils to thrive at school. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine plays an important role in ensuring a successful school year, too.

Between running back and forth to soccer practice, dance class or after-work errands, sitting down for family dinners is quickly becoming a rarity. This fast-paced lifestyle makes it all too easy for kids to fall into unhealthy routines. After school, many kids grab junk food for a snack, and spend hours glued to the TV or video games. Therefore, it’s important to help your kids make the right choices by giving them tools and options that are fun and entertaining, yet still healthy.

We all know the importance of having three well-balanced meals a day; however, it is equally important to extend the same healthy practices to snacking. Snacks should be viewed as a fourth meal for kids, as they account for a substantial percentage of your kid’s daily energy and nutrient needs. Developing healthy snacking habits early may have more of an impact on your child’s overall health than you realize.

Here are some simple solutions to kick-off the new school year and improve your child’s well-being by planning an active and healthy after-school routine.

Get them involved

Kids who are involved in planning meals are more likely to eat them. Even if your kids don’t accompany you to the grocery store, getting them involved in the creation of the shopping list is a great way to help your child develop healthy meal planning skills for life.

Make it easy for kids to grab exactly what they should be eating:

* Engage your kids with a fun game or song for putting the groceries away. This interaction will make the process more appealing. Plus, as they help put items away, they will know exactly where they are when it comes time for a snack.

* Place the items you have designated as acceptable after-school snacks toward the front of the shelves, where shorter arms can easily reach.

Stock up on smart snacks

Compared to adults, children have tiny tummies; they generally cannot eat as much in one sitting. It is essential for growing kids to refuel between meals with healthy and nutritious snacks.

Stock-up on portioned, kid-friendly and easy-to-eat items in the fridge and freezer:

* As an alternative to a sugary snack, provide a healthier option that is still just as tasty such as a frozen sorbet treat like Del Monte Fruit Chillers Freeze & Eat Tubes. Each package of these kid-friendly tubes is made from 1 lb. of fruit, is a rich source of vitamin C and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or corn syrup.

* Make eating veggies more fun by using colorful plastic containers with multiple compartments to store pre-cut veggies such as baby carrots, celery and cucumbers with dips such as light dressings and peanut butter. Kids can have fun mixing and matching their favorites.

* Don’t waste money on individual snack bags. Buy full size bags and boxes of healthy snacks like pretzels and low-sugar cereals and portion into zip-close snack baggies for easy snacking.

Keep active with after-school activities

As most of us know, regular physical activity helps to support healthy sleep patterns, improve bone and muscle development and encourage healthy social skills. Experts suggest that children should have 60 or more minutes of aerobic activity each day. This may sound like a lot, but don’t worry. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to meet the daily amount of recommended physical activity, especially after school.

Keep after school boredom at bay with these ideas:

* Keep an after-school activity basket in the garage or by the door. Include play items such as jump ropes, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk and bubbles that encourage movement. Have the kids decorate the basket with markers and puffy paint for another fun activity.

* If the kids are going to play video games, why not make it an interactive one that requires them to get up off the couch? Check out gaming consoles such as the WiiFit, WiiSports or Dance Dance Revolution all of which can be fun for the whole family.

As you prepare to send your children back-to-school, ask yourself, “what’s on the menu to fuel their active minds and bodies?” Developing an after-school plan keeping the kids involved will help them develop nutrition basics to keep on track for a healthy and happy school year.

For more healthy living and eating tips visit www.DelMonte.com/solutions.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: after school, healthy kids

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(ARA) – As your older children board the bus to go back to school, it can be difficult for the younger ones. They’re not only losing a play companion, but may feel they’re missing out on an exciting new world. But never fear, there are plenty of ways you can bring the wonderment of the classroom into your house so your younger children won’t feel left behind.

* Create the right atmosphere.
By having a desk, craft items and maybe even a backpack of his own, your child can easily imagine he’s in a classroom setting. Plus, as younger children age, you can reuse the space by transforming the school-play area into a homework and study zone.

* Find toys that offer “teachable moments.”
There are many toys you can purchase that help develop math skills, creativity and body coordination as part of the fun. For example, take the TRIO building set of bricks, sticks and panels from Fisher-Price. Building sets improve hand-eye coordination, help children develop spatial relationships, determine shapes and classifications, and encourage creativity.

“You will often see toddlers enjoying the process of stacking things up; as they get a little older, they move outward, building bridges and walling things in. As children get close to 5 years, they use more complex patterns with greater symmetry, creating more representational structures like a building, tree or animal,” says Cynthia Lynn-Garbe, a senior child researcher at Fisher-Price. “The bricks, sticks and panels of the TRIO building system let children experiment with how things fit together, then advance to creating more complex structures.”

And would you guess that building sets not only encourage creativity and fine motor skill development but also encourage language skills? Lynn-Garbe suggests having your child build something without telling you what it is. You can then ask about the creation, what it’s used for and who lives there, making guesses as you continue to encourage your child to use her imagination as she tells a story about what she built. “Building can offer family fun as well as touch on some really important skill development that may just spark that engineer or architect of the future,” Lynn-Garbe says.

* Turn household chores into a learning opportunity.
Having children help with household chores not only teaches them responsibility, but it also gives you an excellent chance to be a teacher. For example, if you’re doing laundry, have your child help you sort the clothes by color. Sure, it will take longer, but your child will soon be able to recognize different colors and understand the concepts of sorting and organizing. Or if you’re cooking, let your child help measure so they can grasp simple fractions – without even knowing it.

* Play with music.
There are lots of creative ways you can introduce your child to the world of music. For example, play music on the TV or stereo and let children keep the rhythm while dancing around, playing a toy drum or clapping their hands. You can even help your child make colorful streamer ribbons to dance with, adding more fun to the activity. As they get older, introduce your child to reading music and playing a small keyboard or other easy instruments.

By having their own school at home, your younger children will not only have fun, but be better prepared when it’s their turn to get on the bus in the morning.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: activities, classroom fun, creativity in kids, educational toys, toys

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(ARA) – A child’s natural “learning window” is between the ages of birth and 4 to 5 years, research has shown. But the typical American school doesn’t start teaching children to read until kindergarten. For parents, it may seem challenging to compete with television and video games, but helping your child learn to read is not only rewarding, but can prepare them for educational success.

Reading can be easier for kids to pick up and a more enjoyable activity when parents start early, as early as the day they’re born, says Dr. Robert Titzer. Research proves that early readers tend to enjoy reading more, do better in school and are less likely to drop out than those children with poor reading skills. However, myths surrounding early reading persist and include:

Myth: I don’t need to focus on reading at home. All children will learn how to read by the end of kindergarten.

Studies show that if a child is not reading at grade level by the end of the first grade, chances are very slim that he will ever catch up to grade level. Forty percent of 8-year-olds cannot read independently, which indicates the reading skills acquired in kindergarten are not enough.

Myth: It’s harmful to my child to learn how to read early because they’ll be ahead of the rest of their class.

Children who enter school already equipped with reading skills have higher self-esteem than children who do not, according to research.

Myth: A focus on learning to read is pushing a child too hard. Just let kids be kids.

Reading is a great way to spark imagination and early readers often have a lifelong love of books. The key is for parents to make reading fun, never a chore.

Titzer, a renowned infant learning and development expert, developed the Your Baby Can Read early language development system to change how and when children learn to read. Generally designed for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, the system uses tools like games, word cards, educational DVDs and music to help parents teach children how to read and to make it a fun activity for everyone.

Titzer offers the following tips to help parents encourage their young children to read:

* Start reading with your child from the day they’re born. A baby’s brain thrives on stimulation and, while it may not seem like they’re paying attention, they’re absorbing everything going on around them.

* Make reading fun. Use different character voices, act out a story, set aside a special story time with all family members and encourage children to participate in everything from turning pages to pointing out words.

* Use multimedia learning to appeal to different personality types and learning styles.

* Have a variety of books on hand and a comfortable place to read each day.

* Visit the library and encourage children to choose books they’re interested in.

For more information on the Your Baby Can Read system and additional tips to help your child learn to read, visit YourBabyCanRead.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: children reading, reading, teach your baby to read

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(ARA) – Because raising a child in tough economic times can be expensive and financially challenging, many families are looking for ways to reduce their spending without having to sacrifice their family’s well-being. This has resulted in a slew of families getting creative by making old items new again.

Shanaka Brown’s family is one of many that is looking to save money by repurposing and reusing items from around the house.

Brown, a stay-at-home mom, says she believes the consumer-oriented society has prevailed for too long and has to stop. “I think a lot of people are doing things to change the spending mindset. Even if people just take baby steps in changing the way they do things, added up it all can make a huge difference in the long run.”

Brown says that her family is doing a lot of unique things to save money these days.

“For one, I cloth diaper my children which I figured has saved us a ton of money and cuts back on our curbside trash,” she says. Brown also says she regularly participates in clothing, toy and book swaps with the more than 60 moms in her playgroup, makes her own cleaning concoctions, and religiously uses refillable water bottles. After all, tap water is free.

“I also repurpose leftovers to make new meals and look for other uses for things in the kitchen such reusing empty food storage containers. Even my husband reuses milk and juice jugs in the basement to organize his stuff,” she says.

Kelly Wels, the owner of KellysCloset.com, a cloth diapering boutique that offers modern cloth diapering selections like FuzziBunz, bumGenius and Happy Heinys, has seen a huge rise in the number of families using washable and reusable cloth diapers. “I think that families are looking for ways they can save and cloth diapers are a surprisingly easy and sensible solution these days. Families can save thousands of dollars over the course of a few years by cloth diapering their baby,” she says.

Kira Williams, a physician from California, says that even though she and her husband have stable jobs, they are still mindful of their expenditures.

“Cloth diapering has definitely saved us money. Even with the extra money we spend on the water bill, we’re saving more than what we would have spent on disposable diapers. That said, while the cost savings are important, I am even more concerned with minimizing waste and streamlining our lives. I feel that so many of us have become obsessed with spending more and having more and it clearly hasn’t made us better individuals nor a better society. I want to teach my daughter to be happy with less and to treasure the simple things in life,” she says.

Williams says she prefers reusing items and says she was lucky to have inherited many maternity and baby clothes, as well as a lot of baby gear, all which she plans to pass along to others someday. She also makes her own baby food and saves the plastic souvenir cups she gets at NFL games, which have become one of her daughter’s favorite stacking and nesting toys.

Texas stay-at-home mom, Amy Scott, is also one of those moms getting creative by repurposing items that she might have once considered throwing out. For example, Scott says she keeps a small bowl on the dining table where her family puts leftover sauce packets from take-out restaurants. “We’ll never have to buy hot sauce or soy sauce again,” she jokes.

Scott also says she and her husband repurposed old nightstands that were dangerously close to being tossed. When her daughter was born, they realized they needed extra storage space. “One of our old nightstands became a feeding station to store formula, bibs, burp clothes, etc., and the other went by my back door to store mail as to not clutter my kitchen counter,” she says.

Wels adds that, with a little thought and effort, moms can save a lot of money by finding new ways to use old things.

“Think of all the new disposable products on the market that are touted as convenience items like disposable swim diapers, bibs and placemats. I don’t understand how it’s easier to keep buying new things only to end up throwing them away and buying more. If more people took a little extra time to wash items that we normally throw out, we can rack up a lot of savings and be much kinder to Mother Earth,” says Wels. “Perhaps this tumultuous economy is just the excuse families need to spend less, reuse more and overall lessen their waste.”

Brown agrees, “New is not always better or necessary. Reusing not only helps our environment but also my pocketbook because I don’t have to spend money buying things over and over again. Being a family of four on one income was difficult at first, but now I feel that we are making it work.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: cloth diapers, family finances, save money, saving money

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By keeping summer menus simple and light, you can enjoy the natural flavors of food just as they are.

(ARA) – Hot dogs, hamburgers and pork ribs aren’t the healthiest eats in the bunch, especially if getting fit for the summertime is a priority. You won’t have to compromise these good ol’ grilling favorites at your next barbecue if lighter substitutions are made elsewhere.

“Incorporating healthy, flavorful side dishes is key when you’re serving copious amounts of barbecued meat,” says Chef Steven M. Simpson, Culinary Director at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Michigan. “What I like to do is take an old favorite like coleslaw that’s typically drenched in a mayonnaise dressing and modify it to create a light, refreshing alternative.” For example, Simpson makes an Asian-inspired coleslaw with several kinds of Chinese cabbages, oranges, carrots and red onion with a light dressing of orange juice, ginger and a dash of canola oil.

He also advises keeping different types of oils and vinegars on tap to make vinaigrettes, which serve as a good substitute for the heavier cream and mayonnaise dressings typically found in pasta and potato salads.

Another tip is to experiment with salad greens. “You can liven up a humdrum salad by switching out your standard iceberg or romaine lettuce with chicory, dandelion greens, Belgian endive, Bibb lettuce, watercress or arugula,” Simpson says. “Not only are these darker greens more flavorful, but they also tend to be much higher in vitamins and minerals.”

An advocate for homegrown foods and spices, Simpson utilizes herbs and various vegetables like lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and chili peppers from his own backyard. “When planting a garden, choose foods that you eat frequently and enjoy because if all goes well, you’ll have an abundance of them.”

If gardening isn’t your cup of tea, then Simpson suggests buying produce and meats from your local farmers market, as it’s the next best thing.

Grilling fresh meats and produce isn’t just for special occasions. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, 63 percent of parents say that barbecuing or grilling outdoors is the most fun way for a family to eat dinner together during the summer months. And facilitating family bonding isn’t the only benefit. Cooking on a grill can help food retain nutritional value if cooked properly.

Simpson cooks almost everything on the grill — potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, greens, salmon and eggplant, just to name a few. “Aside from oil, salt and pepper, I don’t do too much to the foods I grill. It’s a flavorful and simple way to preserve the integrity of the organic products, whether bought or homegrown,” he says.

“The beauty of eating in the summertime is that there is so much variety to choose from. My best advice is to keep it simple, refreshing and light, and enjoy the natural flavors of the food just as they are,” he adds.

To see what else is “cooking” at The Art Institutes system of schools check out www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Asian Coleslaw

Recipe courtesy of chef Steven M. Simpson, culinary director at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Michigan

Yields 6 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup
8 Servings

Ingredients:

2 cups Napa cabbage,shredded
2 cups bok choy, baby bok choy, Savoy or other cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, julienned
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1/4 cup red onion, julienned
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Rice vinegar (unseasoned) to taste
1/4 cup canola, sunflower or soybean oil
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
12-15 orange, grapefruit or tangerine segments (can substitute canned mandarin oranges)

Preparation:

1. Combine cabbages, carrot, red pepper and red onion into a large mixing bowl and toss together.
2. In a separate bowl whisk orange juice, canola and sesame oils together. This is a broken vinaigrette so it will need to be whisked immediately prior to dressing the coleslaw.
3. Add salt and pepper to dressing and taste. If you would like a more tart dressing you can add rice vinegar to adjust the acidity.
4. Combine 2/3 of the dressing with the slaw mixture. You just want to coat the cabbage; it will release some moisture as it sits. If needed, add the remaining dressing.
5. Check the seasoning again and transfer the coleslaw to the serving dish.
6. Garnish with the citrus segments and toasted sesame seeds.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Tags: Asian coleslaw, Asian coleslaw recipe

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Tip: Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test.

(ARA) – It’s fun, it’s messy, and it means time with an adult — no wonder most kids love to cook. Kitchen duty provides plenty of learning opportunities for kids too. Problem is, for many parents, the goal of cooking is getting something on the table, pronto. And that’s OK — whipping up a nutritious meal using a mix or livening up leftovers together can also be a fun learning experience.

Here’s how to make the most out of cooking with a pint-size helper:

* Look for the lesson. No need to get preachy, but take advantage of the learning potential. Besides kitchen safety and cooking techniques, your child can also practice reading, basic math skills (everything from number recognition to division), and how to follow directions.

* Listen. While mixing ingredients, your child might just decide to open up about the school bully or that upcoming, worrisome test. (Somehow it’s less intimidating than sitting down for a serious “talk.”)

* Encourage easy creativity by stocking up on an array of spices. Try asking your kids things like: “Want to try cardamom instead of cinnamon on those apples?” and “How about adding some zip to these leftover mashed potatoes with a little garlic powder?”

* Explore other cultures. Spice blends like Indian curry and Mexican seasoning are an easy way to introduce ethnic flair — and conversation — to dinner.

* Choose dishes that are fun to make, nutritious, and bound to succeed. Pass down family favorites or try new recipes when time permits. Or go quick and simple with convenient mixes. Frontier Natural Products Co-op offers quality, healthful bulk mixes for soups, dips, beverages like lemonade and cocoa, salsas, soy burgers, falafel and taco filling. And its Simply Organic line has meal-size quantities of everything from baking and dip mixes to gravies, pasta sauces, taco mixes, dressings and marinades.

* Take advantage of broth powders. Just add water and you’re on your way to homemade soup. Have your child toss in leftovers from the week and a few spices, and you’ve got yourselves a budget-friendly, healthful dinner.

* Sprout seeds. Show your child how to start a batch of sprouts and rinse them twice a day until they’re ready. (It’s an easier way to teach responsibility than a family pet!)

* Introduce your child to related life skills, like meal planning and nutrition, grocery shopping and budget management, table setting, and gardening. Visit the farmer’s market and the food co-op together.

* Use cooking as a springboard. “Kids can learn about important topics like organics, food miles, and ethical sourcing at an early age,” says Kathy Larson, vice president of Sustainability and Education at Frontier Natural Products Co-op. “You might explain that you purchase your produce from a local farmer who sells at the co-op, for example — or that you order your coffee, tea, spices, sprouting seeds and other cooking ingredients from a company that helps the farmers who grow their products and makes business decisions with the environment in mind.”

* If you find that your child is eager for more time in the kitchen, devote some of your weekend to baking a cake or making cookies from scratch. (That’ll give you plenty of time to talk about why cakes rise or the concept of that Fair Trade cocoa you’re using.)

Cooking side-by-side with your child means you can set the timer for quality time and make every minute count. You’ll find more tips on cooking with kids — and kid-friendly recipes — at www.frontiercoop.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: cooking with kids, kids in the kitchen

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(ARA) – Most parents know that self esteem is important for a child’s academic, social and emotional success. However, when it comes to nurturing their child’s self esteem, empowering them to be themselves and encouraging them to follow their dreams, it’s easy for parents to feel a bit lost. A few simple and positive steps are all it takes to start your child on the path to confidence.

* Praise your child often and be descriptive
Parents are generally quick to tell their children when they’ve done something wrong, but may forget to give kids positive messages. Be descriptive in your positive praise — tell kids you like the way they completed a chore, applaud a hobby they show interest in and point out when they’ve made a good choice.

* Teach good decision-making skills
We all make decisions every day, but kids don’t often realize that’s what they’re doing. When you see your child in a situation where they need to make a decision, help them clarify the problem and the choices they can make. Discuss the possible solutions and the consequences of each. When your child chooses a course of action, respect his decision. If your child is unhappy with the results, you can discuss how he or she may have done things differently.

* Encourage kids to follow their dreams
Pay attention to what your child’s interests are and look for innovative ways to empower them to follow their dreams. If your child likes music, help him or her find their voice through a range of musical experiences such as listening to a Kidz Bop CD — a collection of their favorite popular songs, sung by kids for kids, which is available for a limited time in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Sing along with them in the car to encourage them along.

* Take them seriously
While children aren’t little adults, their feelings, emotions and opinions should still be taken seriously. Listen to what your child has to say and avoid dismissing their thoughts or feelings as “kid stuff” or “just a phase.” Strive to have a real conversation.

* Be a good role model
When you feel good about yourself, your children know it. If you make a mistake, use it as a teaching moment. Accept responsibility and talk to your child about what you learned from your misstep.

* Be there
When it comes to spending time with your child, quality and quantity both count. Being there during the small, silly moments is just as important as being present for the big milestones. Occasionally encourage each other to play with your food at the dinner table, especially if it creates a fun, together-moment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: child’s self esteem, nurture self esteem

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