Parenting Tips Archive

Tip #1: June 2009: Simple Summer Fun

Plan a field trip—to your own backyard. It's great to travel to exotic locations or exciting theme parks, but we don't need to go there to build on our children's interest in learning. Kids can get a tremendous amount of stimulation in our own backyards or city parks. While you're outside, you can stimulate creativity in your 4- and 5-year olds by asking them to imagine what it would be like to be the size of an ant. What would look different? What could you hear? What would you be afraid of? Children often love to imagine the fears others may have, so they know they aren't alone.

While you're there, ask them if they can hear the music of the backyard. Are there instruments to be made from sticks & stones? Bring out a blanket and lie down with your eyes closed. What can you hear? Do you here the leaves rustling in the wind? A bee buzzing? A car grinding? The birds chattering? Even 2-year-olds love these games.

There are easily hours of fun if you break down an everyday experience like this into bite-sized pieces for your kids and their incredible minds to chew on. What will have the biggest impact is your questions and your interest in their answers. And it'll probably feel like a whole lot of fun for you too!

Tip #2: July 2009: Play with Math

Summertime is in full swing! Your children may be at home or attending camp or daycare this summer. Regardless of where exactly your children spend their summer days, time is deservedly a little less structured, a lot more relaxed and thus a perfect time for you to step back and reflect on how you naturally engage your child in playful learning—even without thinking about it.

One example is board games. Playing these games really helps children learn on many levels. Pull out that worn game of Candy Land™ or Chutes & Ladders™. These oldies but goodies remain simple and fun ways for kids to learn about how numbers work.

In fact, research by Dr. Robert Siegler at Carnegie Mellon University shows that playing these kinds of games actually improves children's number skills. And, as you naturally talk about what's happening in the game, your child is picking up all sorts of incidental information about how numbers work, about how to take turns and get along with others, and about how to plan ahead and focus on a goal.

Even everyday errands can become a wonderful context for children to learn about math. The grocery store or farm stand is ideal. Little ones (3- and 4-year-olds) can help you count out the number of lemons you need or help you read the numbers on the scale. Older children who can read numbers can be empowered to help you determine the more affordable box of cereal. And who wouldn't love a chance to pay for items with cash to experience first-hand subtraction and feel like a grown up?

The point is that learning opportunities are everywhere! Just taking children on errands and playing with them are marvelous ways to get them thinking and learning without even trying!