I’m assuming most of you have kids home from school today, so it’s a perfect time to post my first “Teaching kids to cook” lesson! Most of you have already downloaded my “Kids in the Kitchen” handout (and if you haven’t, I would by clicking HERE). It gives good basic information on WHY you would want kids in the kitchen, kid recipes, and a guide for knowing which kitchen tasks are appropriate for your different aged children. As you know, I feel very strongly that you should get your kids in the kitchen with YOU. It is a great time for talking, bonding, and teaching. The kitchen is the center of nourishing in the home. Not only for our physical bodies but for our souls as well. Cooking with kids involves all of their senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, and seeing) which provides more ways for the brain to recall the memory; creating memories that will last a life time. In fact, my mother (who comes from a family of 12) including all of her siblings AND their friends warmest memories growing up is when they were helping my grandmother bake bread. I can honestly say, that my favorite times are spent cooking with my mom and I’m not the only one! Rachel Ray also gained her love of cooking from her mother and I can tell you from experience that it isn’t all about the food. It’s great one-on-one time where you can talk about the day and bond. Trust me, it doesn’t have to be torture for either of you!
In this lesson, you’ll learn great ways to teach your child how to follow a recipe and measure ingredients (along with some fun math and science activities to prove both are vital in every day life…just in case you have a child like me, who never thought I would use math or science past school-boy, was I wrong!) Please use what you can from it and target it towards what your child can do at their age level.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN!
Watch the video below to see how to work the “canner” or sealer. 
