Conversation Jar

One of the most basic and fundamental table manners you can teach your child is : Conversation.   Conversation allows your child to interact with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations they will encounter.   At home, it allows you to find out more about your child and have more intentional conversation.  

Conversation Jar:

1) Use any jar or container and make it as fancy or simple as you'd like
2) Print out a list of questions...here are some that I plan on using:

3) Cut up questions and start conversing : ) 

Curious George Makes Pancakes

read.

“Curious George Makes Pancakes” by Margaret and H.A. Reys, is of course about a small little monkey that lets his curiosity get the best of him. Curious George, an inquisitive monkey, causes quite a stir when he tries his "hand" at making pancakes at a fundraiser for the children's hospital.  Most kids (and adults) love reading about George because they can relate to both his curious and mischievous side : ) One thing that I really liked about this story, and that holds true for most Curious George stories, is that George generally just wants to help when he gets into mischief.

cook.

After reading the book, I suggest…pancakes. Pancakes are a weekly staple in our house.  They can be as easy or difficult as you want to make them.  You can “hide” plenty of good nutrients (flax, protein powder, whole wheat flour, fruits) and they are very inexpensive to make.   Of course they are also great because kids can help! 

MENU:

*Banana Pancakes

Pancake RECIPE:

Ingredients:

*1 over ripe banana (the kind you probably shouldn’t eat anymore)

*1 cup whole wheat blend pancake mix

*1- 1 ¼ cup low fat milk

*1 egg

*Cooking Spray

1) Preheat a Pancake Griddle to 350 degrees (or heat a skillet once you’re ready).

2) In a small bowl mash the banana with a Masher or a fork.  

3) Measure whole wheat flour and milk and add to a large bowl. Add the mashed banana.  

4) Crack an egg in a SEPARATE small bowl.  (that way if they get shells in the bowl you can help them fish them out)  Once you have a shell free egg add it to the large bowl with the flour, milk and banana.

5) With a wire whisk, large fork or rotary beater have your child combine all the ingredients just until moistened.   The batter should look lumpy.  Over mixing may toughen the pancakes. 

6) Spray the griddle or skillet with cooking spray.  

7) Check to see if the griddle is ready by getting your hand wet and then flicking water onto the griddle.  If it “dances” it’s ready : ) 

8)Using a 1/3 measuring cup scoop batter and pour onto griddle.   Cook until bubbles cover the surface of the pancakes and the bottoms are golden brown.  

9) Turn the pancakes over with a wide spatula.  Place on platter when done.    

PRESENTATION:

You of course need to be playing the Jack Johnson song “Banana Pancakes” either while cooking or eating J   I always think pancakes look best stacked up as tall as you can get them with butter on top!  

grow. 

After you and your kids enjoy the book and recipe together, extend the fun by picking one of the activities from the CURIOUS GEORGE page on PBS. 

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs : 

read.

It’s no wonder that Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett is a bestseller.  It’s a story about a Grandpa who tells his kids a tale about a town where it rains food from the sky.  I recommend Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs for 4- to 8-year-olds, as well as for older kids. It’s a wonderful book to read aloud. You’ll find it sparks kids’ imaginations, and they will come up with all kinds of food-related happenings after enjoying the book. The book also serves as an excellent starting point for a creative writing unit for tweens (ages 8-12) and young teens, as well as an excellent addition to a creative writing and/or visual art unit for tweens and teens on storytelling through a combination of words and pictures. 

cook.

After reading the book, I suggest cooking lunch/dinner together with foods from the book OR foods that your kids would love to have rain from the sky : )   If you go with the book illustrations, here is your suggested menu:

MENU:

*Mashed Potato Clouds

*Meatball Raindrops

*Broccoli Trees

You can make this as fancy (everything from scratch) or easy (think pre-made frozen) as you want.   I typically find the middle road most of the time.   In case you are the same way here is an excellent recipe for meatballs.  

MEATBALL RAINDROP RECIPE:

Kids LOVE making meatballs (especially if they are sensory seekers like mine!).

Ingredients:

*2 small shallots, peeled. 

*1 garlic clove, peeled.  (or the freeze dried/jarred kind I use!) 

*2 tsp. Italian seasoning

*1 ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

*1/4 tsp. salt

*3/4 lb ground meat (chicken, turkey, beef, bison)

Preheat oven to 350 F; line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I use this all the time when cooking with kids, makes clean up a BREEZE)

Put the shallots and garlic into a food processor (or blender if you don’t have one.)  Add the Italian seasoning, Worcestershire, and salt to the mixture.  Turn on your processor until everything is in tiny pieces (yes, your child can do this with supervision).   Empty the contents into a large bowl.  Add the ground meat.   Using their hands, allow your child to mix everything until it’s the same color.  Together roll the meatball mixture into ¾ inch balls and place on baking sheet.  You should have approximately 50.  Bake meatballs for 10 minutes.  

PRESENTATION:

Presentation adds so much to this recipe.   Place the potatoes like clouds on the plates (yes it’s okay to let your kids use their {clean} hands!)  Then, act like the meatballs are raining down from the clouds onto the trees (broccoli).   Voila!  A fun, healthy dinner.   

grow.  

After you and your kids enjoy the book and recipe together, extend the fun by making a story sack. Sherri Osborn, the About.com Guide to Family Crafts, provides all the information you need to make your own Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Story Sack, including directions for a spaghetti and meatball hat, a paper apron, a food collage and much more.