| Trouble finding Time to Spend with Your Preschooler: | | | | (remember...they haven't done this as much as you) it's |
| Try these 5 easy free preschool activities to Sneak in | | | | okay if they are not folded to your exact |
| Family Time | | | | specifications. Your child will get better and they will |
| You have worked all day long. Then it's time to pick up | | | | have a sense of pride and accomplishment when you |
| the kids and grab some dinner. You are so worn out | | | | put them away just as they folded them. |
| there's not much of you left for Family Time. Does this | | | | 3. Turn down the radio and talk while traveling during |
| sound familiar? For so many families this is the norm. | | | | the day. Don't know what to talk about? Preschoolers |
| Even so, family time is crucial to developing happy | | | | are easy. Just talk about their day, what you see out |
| healthy children. It helps children feel connected to their | | | | the window, what you are going to do when you get |
| parents. Families run more smoothly when everyone | | | | home. |
| feels connected and part of the family. So as parents, | | | | For a bit of parenting advice, this technique works very |
| we must find ways to connect with our children daily | | | | well for us. If you are planning on doing something out |
| and help them grow up feeling safe and loved. | | | | of the ordinary and you need your child's cooperation, |
| The great news is...Family Time doesn't have to be | | | | travel time is a great time to get them prepared for |
| elaborate or expensive! Family time is simply spending | | | | what will be expected. For example, if you need to go |
| undivided time and energy on each other. | | | | somewhere and need them to take a bath...tell them |
| Unfortunately, this does not mean setting down in front | | | | on the way home "When we get home we are going |
| of the TV. We tend to retreat into our own thoughts | | | | to get a fast bath. Then we are going to put on clean |
| while watching TV. | | | | clothes so we can go..." Keep reinforcing this by |
| Try these simple yet easy preschool activities to | | | | repeating and asking them to tell you the plan. You'll |
| sneak in that extra quality time. | | | | find the schedule change will not be a big struggle. |
| 1. Eat one meal together without the TV. Children who | | | | 4. Read a story together. This is such a great way to |
| sit down at a meal with their parents have a higher | | | | spend some special time together. Reading together |
| self esteem. It shows them that they are important | | | | will also teach your child that reading is important. It |
| and the family is important. Eating together allows you | | | | helps develop vocabulary skills and language skills. |
| to talk about the day in a relaxed atmosphere. | | | | Look at the pictures in the book and ask questions |
| Have fun with dinner time, try a new recipe, eat with | | | | "What is she wearing on her head?, What color is the |
| chopsticks, throw a blanket on the floor and have an | | | | shirt?, etc." This will help develop higher level language |
| indoor picnic. The trick is to enjoy being together as a | | | | processing skills. |
| family. | | | | 5. 15 minute house pick-up. Give everyone a basket, go |
| This is also a great time to work on table manners. | | | | from room to room picking up things that do not belong |
| Teaching these skills at home will insure more pleasant | | | | in that room. Then put everything in your basket where |
| dinners in a restaurant. | | | | it goes. You could even turn this into a game. |
| 2. Fold laundry together. How simple...spending time | | | | Whoever has the most stuff in their basket wins! This |
| together folding the laundry. This is an excellent time to | | | | is not only a great way to connect as everyone has |
| teach matching skills by matching socks or outfits. | | | | fun BUT the house gets picked up at the same time. |
| Matching is an important skills for kindergarten | | | | These are 5 easy ways to sneak in family time in a |
| readiness as it is a stepping stone to higher level math. | | | | fun way. These activities foster important skills by |
| Also, let your child help fold towels, washcloths. Show | | | | promoting learning and responsibility. Family time does |
| them how to fold, then let them try. This is good for | | | | not have to be an elaborate endeavor. Take a few |
| following directions and visual-perceptual skills. | | | | minutes and sneak in some family time. You'll never |
| Encourage them the entire time they are folding | | | | regret the time you share with your family. |