BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – According to North Dakota State University, cooking with your children can build their self-confidence, encourage them to try new things, and can even lead to a better performance in school.
With that in mind, the Simpson County Extension Office’s Nutrition Education Program Assistant Amy Lawrence has been hosting a nutrition education class every Monday evening in November at Franklin Simpson High School.
“This particular class is a neat class, in that it brings parents and children together, or grandparents who are kinship caregivers of their grandchildren, which is a common thing, and they get to work together. They spend quality time together; they make recipes together.”
Though along with quality cooking time with their kids, guardians learn about the various vitamins and nutrients families should be getting and how to best serve it to their little ones.
“She teaches you the basics, but most importantly, she teaches you the healthier basics,” said mom and attendee Shannon Danner. “Everything we’ve learned to eat is so unhealthy. So she definitely teaches you a healthier alternative.”
Lawrence added the class is also meant to encourage parents to eat more at home, something she says is beneficial to your health and your wallet.
“With the advent of restaurant eating, it’s just popular to go out to eat. Not only is that not cost effective, I know groceries are expensive now, but that is one of the classes we teach, is how to make your food dollar stretch. It is still more economical to eat dinner at home and to learn those skills and to spend that time with your child in the kitchen is an invaluable place.”
With the ingredients and class being free, all families need to do is show up with an empty stomach and open mind.
“It’s educational to her, and it’s an experience for her,” Danner said. “She loves to cook, so getting to measure everything and learn the basics, it’s been really beneficial for her.”
Lawrence’s nutrition education will continue for the month of November, with another round starting early spring of next year.
Lawrence said the funding for the nutrition education classes has been provided to all Kentucky counties and those interested should contact their county extension office to see what classes may be available.
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