Melinda Aponte is the nutrition coordinator for the YWCA of Asheville’s Early Learning Program. The YWCA is part of ASAP’s Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program, working with Ivy Creek Family Farm to provide fresh, local produce for the children. She is pictured on the left with farmer Anna Littman of Ivy Creek.
Preschool
Farm to Keiki: Cooking, Gardening and Nutrition with Children
This book makes it easy to teach children gardening, nutrition and cooking with fresh, Hawai’i grown foods. While originally written for Hawaii’s pk-3rd grade teachers, the information can be adapted for any age group or educational setting (school and home) anywhere in the world! Learn more and purchase this book here. Learn to Teach Children:
Blackberry Granola Parfait
Fruit parfaits make a great class cooking activity! These individual snacks can be used to teach sequencing and practice fine motor skills. This version features local blackberries, but you could also substitute another seasonal berry or fruit, or use a mix of fruits.
Growing Minds Day by Day: Third Week of October
This week’s theme is apples. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.
Growing Minds Day by Day: Fourth Week of July
This week’s theme is frogs and toads. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.
Bake a Crazy Caterpillar
Bake a Crazy Caterpillar First make milk paint by dividing a can of sweetened condensed milk among four containers. Use food coloring to tint the contents of the containers different colors. Add clean paint brushes to each one. On a foil-lined baking sheet, arrange refrigerated biscuits in the shape of a caterpillar body. Leave one
Growing Minds Day by Day: Second Week of July
This week’s theme is berries. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.
Growing Minds Day by Day: Fourth Week of June
This week’s theme is butterflies. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.
Growing Minds Day by Day: Second Week of June
This week’s theme is fireflies (aka Lightning Bugs). Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.
Growing Minds Day by Day: First Week of June
This week’s theme is rocks and minerals. Our “Growing Minds Day by Day” educational resource lists are designed for families and educators.