Starting Family Talks with Kids

How do you conduct conversations with a preschooler? Once families have a little practice they are amazed at young children’s insight. They are so fascinating and honest. Unfortunately, Americans often spend only 15 minutes a day just talking with young children. 

  Preschool teachers have some suggestions to get that sparkle children have when receiving  complete attention from a loved one.

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Focus on the Child

  First of all, turn off all technology to focus on them.

   Sit down or find some other way to get to their eye level.  Young children need to see facial expressions, especially smiles.  Keep your voice gentle. Show children how it looks to really listen carefully. Nod. Say,” Oh and Mmm- hmm. Tell me more about that.” React in some way. Do not interrupt.

  Begin sentences with “What are some, who are some, when are some? They suggest you need a long answer. Then ask a follow-up question.

  Avoid questions that can be answered with one word, yes, or no.  Instead ask, “What are some foods that you like on the grocery list? I’ll read the list for you.” Read the list. Then pause long enough to give them time to think. The pausing takes practice. 

  If children bring home pictures, say, “Wow, look at these!  Tell me about them.”

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  If they show you Bubbles their pet fish ask, “What are some things you like about Bubbles?” Ask them to explain.

  After reading a book together, ask some questions to start a conversation.  What are some things you liked about the story?  What were some funny parts?

  Include questions about feelings. What are some happy and fun times you had at school today?  You look sad (upset, angry). Tell me about it. What are two good things that happened and one you wish didn’t happen?

  Play a game or other fun activity and talk. Go for a talk-walk.

Talking Jar

  Some families keep a jar of conversation starters written for car trips and meals.    First they go over the rules. Everyone takes a turn and asks follow up questions to get more information. No interrupting. Look and act interested. Respect each answer.

   Here are samples: What are the best parts of your day? If you could be a character in a book (movie) who would you be? How were you kind and helpful to others today? If you could be an animal, which would you be? What are some things you do that show you are a good friend?  What are you really grateful for today?  What are your least favorite chores to do around the house?

What are some things you want to learn how to do?  What super powers would you like to have and how would you use them?

 Photos: Fran Darling - fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities... See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.

 

 

 

 

  

Balance Tech Time and Reading Time

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How do families balance the desire for children to be great readers and love to read when smart phones, tablets, DVD’s, TV, and computers take time away from reading? It’s all about balance and remembering the role of adults in the family.

  As Dr. Katharine Kersey states,” Always remember that you are the adult and ultimately responsible for the way things turn out. The child does not have your judgment or history of experiences and can’t possibly be held responsible to the ultimate outcome.”

  Tech Risks for Kids

   Children ages two on up are spending much more than 15-20 daily maximum recommended minutes on family technology. Add up the possible technology interaction before school, transporting, doing errands, before dinner, waiting, and before bed.  Some very young children spend 5-6 hours per day with a screen and not reading or learning how to discuss matters with the family.

What Can We Do?

  Association for the Education of Young Children has some suggestions.

  Provide people time. Computer games even educational games only provide interaction between the user and the screen. Little children need to interact with other real people to learn social skills and build vocabulary in all areas.

   Have a turn off all technology time. Talk or provide a box of new library books in the car. Talk about the book content. Have someone read out loud or tell stories. Take books on family trips and have a technology free vacation to reset.

  Reading time, doing chores, skills practice, and reading could EARN technology time for grade school children. They can read to younger children.

Provide some hands- on time.  There is a reason why toddlers and young children touch everything. That’s how they learn about the world.  Scale back the screen time and instead stack blocks, make mud pies, make a playhouse out sheets and chairs. Play ball.

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Reduce Stimulation

 It’s easy for a young child to get overwhelmed by too much sensory stimulation—loud sounds, bold colors, flashing lights, and endless fast action. Researchers note young children get cranky and easily frustrated after computer time. Instead, go for a walk around the block, play Legos together, read a few books, paint with water on the sidewalk, draw some pictures, or play a board game. Wind down with reading before bedtime.

  Will young children who are too screen dependent have trouble focusing when higher level math and reading require quiet thinking and intense concentration? 

Provide Physical Activity Time

  Screens may provide some mentally stimulating time given the right educational program, but children also need to move.  It builds strong muscles and helps children discover what their bodies can do. Can they slide, dig, dance, ride a bike, jump over a log, or play freeze tag? Habits started early often stay into adulthood.
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Ideas and Activities... See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.

Children Love Container Gardening

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When there is a weird weather year, container gardening is a good solution for a family who has a small space, poor soil, or simply wants to start gardening. Container planting is perfect for children and a great family teaching tool. The pots can be moved around as needed.

What To Do:

  Check out library books about plants and gardening. Draw some plant parts and discuss their jobs. Teach young children some vocabulary.  Annuals only grow one year, but kids may collect the seeds of annuals like marigolds and plant them again next year. Perennials like daisies and coneflowers may come back next year if left in a warm garage.

  Show children how to study the back of seed packets. How long will the plants take to grow? Look for the shortest growing season. How much space will they need?  Follow packet directions.  

   Start with just a few containers and try your luck. Practically any type of container can be used to grow plants as long as it holds potting soil (not garden soil), a little plant fertilizer, can drain water, and is large enough to accommodate the growing plants and roots.

Teach Principles of Growing

  Most plants need about six hours of sunshine. Lettuce and spinach need a little less. Place the plants in a space where they will not be too hot and killed. They can be moved if children discover it is the wrong spot.

 Vegetables require larger pots than annual flowers. Tomatoes, for example, grow well in 5-gallon buckets. Peppers will grow in containers about 8 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall. Beets need eight inches of soil. Carrots need twelve inches for their long roots.

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 Containers filled with plants like mixed lettuce seeds are a good way to start young children gardening. Choose several large pots. Mix small seeds with a little soil. Fill pots with potting soil, plant seeds, and water gently. Cover the pots with plastic wrap secured with a large rubber band until seeds start sprouting. Then move the pots into the sun.

Plant Care

  Plants need just the right amount of water and fertilizer. Teach children not to drown plants in mud nor let them wilt. The soil should make a moist crumbly ball. Children can stick their finger in the soil to test for moisture and then wash their hands.

  Children may not like to eat lettuce yet, but they will enjoy cutting fresh lettuce for family meals. Mixed greens offer a variety of colors and tastes.  Even if they only eat one leaf, teach children to wash the edible plants and their hands before eating. 

   Other easy plants to grow are beans, peas, herbs, gourds for fall decoration and to sell, petunias, and small sunflowers. To discourage rabbits, deer, and squirrels plant marigolds, too. (Planting part two is next time.)

For more information see grandparentsteachtoo.org.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Ideas and Activities See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest.