Fleming County Extension (EFNEP) Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program Assistant and staff worked with Ward Elementary School once a month with a reading program for their students and parents

Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program Assistant, shared stories with the children and their parents, then help the children follow a recipe to do a cooking activity.  Some of the recipe taught the children how to make vegetable pizza, milkshakes, deviled eggs, strawberry jam.  The books and recipes came from the LEAP – Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary-curriculum is designed to be used with children 3 to 8 years old. Curriculum focus is on reading books to children that focus on eating and preparing health foods and being physically active.  The volunteer open this program up to the whole school to attend.  The children always sat very attentively during the story and then couldn't wait to get started on their cooking activity.  First we would always stressed the importance of washing hands before beginning any of the cooking.  Towards the end of the year, after the story of read, one little boy stood up to leave.  When ask where he was going, he replied, "We always wash our hands first."  The children learned the importance of reading in every day life because they knew they had to read the recipe in order to make that night's special treat.  The adults also benefited from the program.  They were always thrilled to receive the recipes and to see their children trying new foods.  It was also beneficial when the parents seen the proper way to measure ingredients, the correct way to crack an egg, the placement of cooking utensils to remain clean and not come in contact with germ infested surfaces, an food safety tips.  Parents request the recipe for the night they had to miss the program.  The lessons learned by the children and the parents will make a positive difference in their family's life.