Those cardigans! Those sneakers! That perfectly coiffed hair! The mellow and tender Mr. Rogers is back with a modern spin. In a music video, commissioned by PBS digital studios, Rogers’ song, “Garden of Your Mind”, is remixed with an electro-pop vibe. The video has gone viral, garnering over a million views as of the writing of this blog.

The nostalgia evoked while watching the slow-moving children’s icon pulls hard on the heart strings. He sings out questions like, “Do you ever imagine things?” and, “Did you ever grow anything in the garden of your mind?” He reminds us that, there are so many things to learn about in this world, and there are so many people that can help us learn.

Research points to parents as the best teachers young children have. Cooking together is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn and families to bond. Giving young children simple tasks that contribute to the final, delicious product makes them feel needed and important. One very special bonus to “playing” this way, is it’s time-effective — parents are getting that snack or meal made!

FIRST5 Santa Clara County is partnered with the respected certified nutritionist, mother and TV personality, Chef LaLa. We’ve got recipes to be made written in both English and Spanish. Enjoy!