Making granola is simple and quick, and is something children of all ages can help make. Children as young as toddlers can pour and mix dry ingredients and experience different textures and shapes (with adult supervision, of course).  Cooking with children is also a perfect time to build language, teach new vocabulary, expose your children to math and science concepts (e.g., measuring, cause-and-effect relationships) with concrete, hands-on experiences. Did we mention it's fun and yummy, too?

1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (hulled)
1/2 cup  dried fruit (papaya, cherries, blueberries, or any other dried fruit)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoons oil

Mix the dry ingredients except for the dried fruit in a big bowl.  Drizzle oil and maple syrup over the dry ingredient mix and stir to coat.  Transfer mixture to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and spread evenly.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Let cool, then stir in dried fruit.  Store in an airtight container. Enjoy over yogurt or ice cream!

For a variety of taste, crunch and texture, you can add wheat germ, chopped nuts, raisins or other dried fruit to your granola.

Note: This recipe was inspired and adapted from a recipe at Buen Dia Family School in San Francisco.

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine

You can see her work and read about her two young children's first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.