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Between work schedules, school activities and other commitments, it is no wonder families find it difficult to spend quality time together. In fact, most of today's families struggle to even eat one meal together daily.
However, no matter how busy life gets, it is important for families to connect regularly. Studies show that spending time together as a family boosts children's self esteem and promotes healthy social development. This quality family time is particularly important during a child's first five years - the time when his or her brain develops most.
During Week of the Young Child (which occurs next week), as well as beyond, First 5 Nevada County encourages you to celebrate your children by spending time with them. First 5 Nevada County offers the following ideas for how you and your family can share quality time with your family's youngest members.
Spend time together doing a variety of activities fit for the entire family.
• Start a new family dinner tradition. Once a week, assign everyone a task to help prepare the family's meal. Encourage your children to be creative with their jobs, whether it be helping to choose the menu, mixing ingredients or working with an older sibling to set the table.
• Host a weekly game night. Each week, have a different person in the family choose his or her favorite game to play.
• Spend time outdoors. Go for a walk together or ride bikes, whether it is in your neighborhood, at a park or down by the river.
Parents are children's first teachers. Spending time together is a great way for parents to encourage a love of learning in their children.
• Take a field trip. Visit a zoo or local museum to learn about animals or history and many other educational topics. The Sacramento Zoo is free for children under 3 and Empire Mine State Historic Park is free for children under 6.
• Set a play date. Show your children the importance of play and exercise by taking them to a local playground or park. You can join your child in climbing, running and swinging.
• Make every moment count. Use time together to learn from and listen to your children, even when running errands. For example, while grocery shopping ask your children questions about their favorite foods. Also, have your children help bag fruits and vegetables while describing each food's shape and color.
Encourage older siblings to spend time with their younger brothers and sisters by sharing their interests and experiences.
• Share school stories. Have older siblings discuss what kindergarten or preschool was like for them. Encourage younger children to ask questions to make them feel comfortable in the classroom.
• Play teacher. Give your older children the job of playing teacher. Challenge the big brother or sister to teach the younger ones how to do one of their favorite hobbies, such as dancing or drawing.
• Read by example. Send older siblings to the library to choose their favorite childhood books. Then have them read to their younger brothers and sisters, pointing out their favorite parts.
Grandparents have so much love and time to give to their grandchildren. Suggest these ideas to create new memories together.
• Prepare traditional family recipes together. Ask grandparents to prepare family recipes with the help of younger children. Grandchildren can help stir the ingredients while the grandparents teach about the recipes.
For more information on quality family time activities or First 5 Nevada County programs, call 265-0611 or visit www.first5nevco.org.
About First 5 Nevada County:
Research shows that a child's brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child's growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life.
Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children, from newborns to 5-year-olds. First 5 Nevada County distributes about $700,000 a year in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.
Lindsay Dunckel is the executive director of First 5 Nevada County and enjoys family time with her two pre-teens and her husband.
However, no matter how busy life gets, it is important for families to connect regularly. Studies show that spending time together as a family boosts children's self esteem and promotes healthy social development. This quality family time is particularly important during a child's first five years - the time when his or her brain develops most.
During Week of the Young Child (which occurs next week), as well as beyond, First 5 Nevada County encourages you to celebrate your children by spending time with them. First 5 Nevada County offers the following ideas for how you and your family can share quality time with your family's youngest members.
Spend time together doing a variety of activities fit for the entire family.
• Start a new family dinner tradition. Once a week, assign everyone a task to help prepare the family's meal. Encourage your children to be creative with their jobs, whether it be helping to choose the menu, mixing ingredients or working with an older sibling to set the table.
• Host a weekly game night. Each week, have a different person in the family choose his or her favorite game to play.
• Spend time outdoors. Go for a walk together or ride bikes, whether it is in your neighborhood, at a park or down by the river.
Parents are children's first teachers. Spending time together is a great way for parents to encourage a love of learning in their children.
• Take a field trip. Visit a zoo or local museum to learn about animals or history and many other educational topics. The Sacramento Zoo is free for children under 3 and Empire Mine State Historic Park is free for children under 6.
• Set a play date. Show your children the importance of play and exercise by taking them to a local playground or park. You can join your child in climbing, running and swinging.
• Make every moment count. Use time together to learn from and listen to your children, even when running errands. For example, while grocery shopping ask your children questions about their favorite foods. Also, have your children help bag fruits and vegetables while describing each food's shape and color.
Encourage older siblings to spend time with their younger brothers and sisters by sharing their interests and experiences.
• Share school stories. Have older siblings discuss what kindergarten or preschool was like for them. Encourage younger children to ask questions to make them feel comfortable in the classroom.
• Play teacher. Give your older children the job of playing teacher. Challenge the big brother or sister to teach the younger ones how to do one of their favorite hobbies, such as dancing or drawing.
• Read by example. Send older siblings to the library to choose their favorite childhood books. Then have them read to their younger brothers and sisters, pointing out their favorite parts.
Grandparents have so much love and time to give to their grandchildren. Suggest these ideas to create new memories together.
• Prepare traditional family recipes together. Ask grandparents to prepare family recipes with the help of younger children. Grandchildren can help stir the ingredients while the grandparents teach about the recipes.
For more information on quality family time activities or First 5 Nevada County programs, call 265-0611 or visit www.first5nevco.org.
About First 5 Nevada County:
Research shows that a child's brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child's growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life.
Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children, from newborns to 5-year-olds. First 5 Nevada County distributes about $700,000 a year in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.
Lindsay Dunckel is the executive director of First 5 Nevada County and enjoys family time with her two pre-teens and her husband.
