Play games. Board games, card games, active games,
educational games, silly games, all of them are good. Games
are invaluable for learning important life lessons such as
sportsmanship. They can also be used to teach a wide range
of subject matter-Math, Science, Social Studies, Language,
there's a game for all of them. If your budget is tight, check
with your local library. If they don't already offer puzzles
and games for checkout, maybe they just haven't thought of
it!
Are you physically able to get down on the floor to play?
Do so if you can. Putting yourself on the same level as a
child is powerful non-verbal communication. A child is much
more likely to open up when you do so. The experts will all
tell you that it is more important to be a parent than a friend
to your child, and I will agree with them. The thought I would
add, however, is that you do want your child to see you as
an ally. Knowing that he or she has someone to talk with and
depend on is vital to a child's confidence and self-esteem.
Keep an art box. Put in crayons, paper, markers, scissors,
paint, glitter, glue. Also put in differently-shaped cardboard
boxes, rolls from paper towels, toilet paper and wrapping
paper. Collect pinecones and bottle caps to add. Anything
you can think of, really! Find an old sheet that you can use
to cover the table or spread out on the floor. Who knows,
you may frame that sheet one day!
Have a dress-up trunk. Save old Halloween costumes.
Large scraps of fabric become capes or princess gowns. Hats
and scarves of all sorts belong in your dress-up kit. Do you
have any old make-up that can be donated? Next, find a book
of plays or act out your favorite story. You may not even
turn on the television for a change!
Use parental-control media devices. Well sure, they are
going to see and hear it sooner or later. But the point is
to make that later instead of sooner. Find out what the ratings
are and then develop a plan for adding more levels as your
child matures. Include the children when making the plan.
Rules that you helped develop are always easier to follow.
Media Wise
Perpetuate the
silly childhood myths such as Santa Claus, the
Tooth Fairy, etc. It's not lying, it's make believe.
Children understand the difference. Many children enjoy pretending
they still believe long after the truth is revealed. And most
older children will continue to pretend with younger children
who still do believe.
Bake cookies. You have to do it, even if they are
from pre-made cookie dough. The sticky texture of the dough,
the delicious smell wafting from the oven, the sizzle as a
too-hot cookie touches a wet tongue, and the extra crispiness
of the last batch that got left in the oven too long - all these
sensations will contribute to lasting memories of a sweet
childhood!
Recipe for Peanut Butteriest Cookies
Our childhood years are few in comparison to the decades
of adulthood. Special and precious, let's do all we can to
make those years positive and memorable.
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Bio Our editor, Jean Fisher, is a former elementary teacher.
She offers "What's For Dinner?"
as a free service for busy families. One delicious meal
is suggested for each day of the week, plus an organized
grocery shopping list that can be customized to include all
your shopping needs. You will also find two stimulating table topics and
one educational after-dinner activity for each day. As one happy
visitor commented, "It's everything you need all in one
place!"
