Everyone knows your grandchildren are the smartest kids on the planet. Keep up the rep with games that challenge their learning skills. Are they good at language skills? Make a game of learning words from a second language. Science and math their strength? Create an activity that uses measurements and physics. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Bilingual Learning
The best time to teach your grandchild a second language is when he's learning the first one. Toddlers learn to recognize speech patterns, and the earlier adults introduce a child to a second language, the easier it is to discern its unique sounds. An easy way to do this is to create some simple flash cards with a picture in the middle, the English word above, and the second-language word below. You'll be amazed at how quickly he progresses. Also, expose him to the new language by teaching him about that culture through delicious foods and fun games.
Paper Airplane Contest
It's amazing what you can create with a single sheet of paper, isn't it? Show your grandchild how to make a paper airplane and have her make one, too. Then, have an air show to see which plane flies the fastest, farthest, and does the best loop-de-loops. Minimize any competition by allowing your grandchild to switch aircraft for each contest.
Straw Measurements
Cut a number of plastic straws into different lengths. Have your toddler-age grandchild practice putting them in a line from shortest to tallest. After that, count the number of straws. How many are left if you take one straw away? This is a good way to teach the concepts of bigger and smaller as well as simple math.
Adapted from The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (© 2007 by Sourcebooks, Inc.).
PLAYSKOOL and BUSY are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2007 Hasbro. All rights reserved.
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