Success StorySummer School Builds Cooking Skills for Children



Summer School Builds Cooking Skills for Children

Author: Angela Freeman

Planning Unit: Taylor County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Initial Outcome

On average, about 29% of kids sometimes make their own dinner. Cooking builds self-esteem. Children develop confidence, responsibility, and independence when they can help you prepare a snack or meal. When they get more practice, they can prepare more foods independently. (https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/now-youre-cookin-meals-help-kids)

For two weeks in June, over 50 students at Campbellsville Elementary Summer School, sponsored by the Family Resource Center, participated in two weeks of cooking activities with the Taylor County Extension Service Nutrition Education Program Assistant. Children who had completed Kindergarten through 5th grade learned basic knife skills, measurements, mixing, and cooking. Games and activities reinforcing My Plate and the primary food groups included a My Plate relay, Rainbow Good Game, and My Plate board games. Students prepared simple snacks such as Berry Crunch Roll-Ups and Yogurt Parfaits and easy meals such as Apple Chicken Salad and East Stir Fry. On the final day, students enjoyed a play at Campbellsville University. Students prepared a snack bag at a popcorn bar set up by the NEP Assistant to take with them. The popcorn snack included healthier options for flavoring popcorn as a substitute for traditional high-fat butter topping.

The results of the cooking program at Campbellsville Elementary Summer School are truly impressive. 71% of Kindergarten through 2nd graders showed improvement in one or more core areas, with 64% demonstrating enhanced knowledge or skills to choose foods consistent with federal dietary guidelines. Even more striking, 100% of 3rd through 5th graders improved in one or more core areas, with 94% showing progress in knowledge or skills to choose foods consistent with federal dietary guidelines. These statistics clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the cooking program on the children's skills and knowledge.






Stories by Angela Freeman


Educating Through Covid 19 Restrictions

about 4 years ago by Angela Freeman

Early Extension professionals focused on community-based education to enhance the universities outre... Read More


Using You Tube to Reach Students and Adults

about 4 years ago by Angela Freeman

A Pew research study surveyed 4,594 Americans in 2018 found that 51 % of YouTube users say they rely... Read More


Stories by Taylor County CES


4-H To Go Kits

about 4 years ago by Amanda Sublett

In response to COVID-19 school, community and business closings, Marion County Cooperative Extension... Read More


Summer Day Camps Develop Life Skills & Offer Opportunities to Prepare Youth for the Future

about 4 years ago by Amanda Sublett

Kids are often bored at the end of the summer and parents are looking for educational opportunities ... Read More