Adventurez in ChildRearing: Homeschool Encouragement - Kids in the Kitchen

Kids in the Kitchen is part of our homeschool curriculum. The boys are learning to plan and create nutritious meals - budget shopping for the family - kitchen safety and more. They enjoy spending time together in the kitchen. From the time they were very little - I'd give them small jobs to participate in the "cooking". Matter of fact, I started with them when they were so little, that I often had to redo or even throw out what they'd been working on.

Trust me - there was this one time they helped me with Thanksgiving dinner with runny noses - they chopped celery for the stuffing - but for the safety of the entire family and my own sanity - I secretly chopped a separate stash and threw the other away. Let's hope they never read this post.

There are many ways to get your children involved in creating family meals. Even young children can wash vegetables and fruits. They can stir, and pour. You can set them up with their own little "pour station" where they pour water (or colored water) from one dish to the next. They can stir dry beans, or transfer them from one bowl to the next.

Inspiring your children to learn is an important part of homeschool. If you are forcing them to "school" every day, to sit for long periods of time at a desk and write as you progress through subject after subject - well, there isn't much inspiration in that - just a bit of torture - for all parties involved.

Kitchen time provides the backdrop for loads of school fun. We have used beans for math in the kitchen. Apples make great fraction lessons - not to mention the obvious measuring and weighing opportunity. Here's a link to a fun article about math in the kitchen for youngsters and another one here which includes multiplication and division.

Kitchen chemistry can add a whole new dimension to your homeschool day.

We love to learn about what people eat in different states, and around the world. I use the books "Eat your way through the USA" and "Eat your way around the World" by Jamie Aramini of GeoMatters.

We found this great Kids in the Kitchen kit

that would inspire most any child to learn to cook:

These are just some of the ways I inspire my children to WANT to learn - the more they enjoy it - the more eager they are to participate. Find fun recipes to make with your kids in the link up below - pls. feel free to link up your own family recipes - no kids required in the pictures - just family friendly recipes to share:

Linking with my girl Carrie @YoungLivingOilLady - to bring you this recipe link up each week - Kids in the Kitchen - is all about encouraging families to cook and eat together.

We hope you'll spend some time in the kitchen with the family this week. Food cooked with love is healthier - people who eat it are happier. We encourage you to use REAL food - colorful is good. Fresh is best - but treats are good too.

This week in our home:

Baked apples

Psalm 34:8

"Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

It was a great opportunity to introduce a new kitchen tool. The apple slicer was great fun for my little monkey's. They took turns using their super duper strong muscles to slice through the apples - after washing them carefully, of course. Then we carefully - trimmed away any extra pieces left from the core. Clean up and sanitation is an important part of kitchen time. We talked about bacteria; how some is good for the body and others dangerous. We talked about mold and how important it is to take care of our cutting board.

We used butter spread made from olive oil to grease the pan and dotted it over the apples slices. The boys layered in their sliced apples and then sprinkled on lots of cinnamon and natural cane sugar. They also drizzled on about 4 tsp. of honey across the tops of the apples. We covered it in tin foil & put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes - stirred - return to oven, still covered for another 30 minutes - or until apples are soft to touch. There are juices from the apples that should be stirred up - tossed with the apples. Put over pancakes, ice cream, or eat alone for a yummy Fall treat!

Please let me know if you find these reminders and information useful or if there is something else you are looking for. I am happy to share what God has led us through (some pretty big challenges) and how He continues to carry us through each day.

- visit others participating in 31 days series from The Nester here -
- Read my other posts of encouragement for your homeschool here-

I'm linking with these fine blogs: Comfy in the Kitchen Shrinking Kitchen Titus 2 Tues
I heart Naptime Nourishing Treasures The Better Mom Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling Food Renegade Try New Recipe Happy LiL Hearts Hip Homeschool Hop Creative Mondays healthy2day