Family Matters Newsletter - May 2007

Family members can encourage and support a love of learning

Sheila Gains, Colorado State University Extension - Arapahoe County

In this time of mobile, reconstructed or blended families, important and influential family members may not always live near growing children. However, they can be invaluable contributors to their education and love of learning. Relatives and caring adults of all sorts can help children build connections from the world around them to academics. Activities and communications with adults can help children see that math, reading, writing, science and social studies aren't just subjects for the classroom, but are connections to the world. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Ideas to promote reading

Young children love to be read to, so encourage a continued love of reading by sending your personal recording of a book to your special child. Make sure the book it is available in their local library or send him a copy. For older children who read independently, start a book club. First agree on a book, or better yet, let the child pick the book and both of you read it. Then discuss it in phone conversations or write to each other about the book's content, illustrations and theme.

Ideas to promote writing

Write each other letters, or e-mail each other. The advantage of letters is they are more likely to be saved and re-read multiple times during the child's lifetime than an e-mail, although e-mails can provide instant feedback and be much more like a conversation. Gift ideas include fun stationery, stamps or journals.

Ideas to promote math skills

Exchange recipes with children that require them to measure ingredients. The child's parents or caregiver will need to be involved in the actual cooking activity, so talk with them first. Gift ideas to support this activity include a children's cook book, recipe cards, measuring spoons and cups, and maybe even a scale to weigh foods.

Maps can be used to teach math skills as well as geography and social studies. The Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau in many U.S. cities will send free maps on request. With a simple map and marker or push pins you and a child can go from city to city planning real or imaginary trips. Ask children to figure out how far it is between places with simple addition. Older children can use multiplication and division to calculate how long it would take to drive to the destination at different speeds.

Ideas to promote social studies

Send children postcards from the places you visit or live. Pick post cards that tell something about the culture, history or geography of the destination. If the child has a U.S. or world map she can track where you have been. Send her a copy of your travel journal pages and encourage her to journal her travels and send you a copy (even if it's a trip to the local park or zoo).

Start a birthday tradition by sending children a letter on their birthdays that describes what life was like for you at their same age. Include information on favorite books, toys, activities and foods. Include information about school, family, celebrations and feelings you experienced.

Ideas to promote science

Share your love of nature with a child by going on a nature walk. Pick up small treasures of nature (such as leaves, a small stone, twigs, pinecones or feathers) on your walk and send them to a child. Ask the child to help you be a nature sleuth and determine what kind of plant, animal or location it came from. Encourage children to send a few treasures of nature they find to you. Gift ideas include a plant, bird or other nature field guides or books on geology.

Send a child a gardening kit in the spring. It could include seeds for flowers or vegetables, a small hand shovel or a strong tablespoon for planting in pots and directions for caring for the plant. Additional ideas include sending a few mystery seeds for them to plant, and a book on how plants grow.

All of these activities can be done with children either in person or by mail or e-mail, and encourage the love of learning and discovery. Most of the activities develop multiple skills and knowledge at the same time while children are having fun and building an important connection with another caring adult.

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Snack time

A young child needs snacks to provide the energy and nutrients needed for healthy body growth and development. A child's small tummy can't hold much at a time. When giving snacks, offer healthful choices at least an hour before mealtime so that the child will be hungry again for the meal. Remember to provide nutritious food choices for snacks. Sweets, such as cookies and cake, can crowd out other foods and teach children food habits that are hard to change.

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Summer safety

Have a safe summer by following these basic tips:

  • Know basic first aid.
  • Provide emergency telephone numbers for sitters.
  • Post emergency numbers at all phones.
  • Use sunscreen when outdoors.
  • Check kids for insect bites.
  • Inspect playground equipment.
  • Supervise activities.
  • Insist kids wear helmet and protective gear when they're on wheels.
  • Realize water doesn't have to be deep to be dangerous.
  • Learn infant and child CPR.
  • Provide appropriate personal flotation devices for children.
  • Say "I love you" every day.

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