February
Fun activities for you and your preschool child
1. The Winter Olympics will be held in Canada this year. Talk to your child about all the countries and sports involved.
2. Today is Groundhog Day. Ask your child to draw what she believes a groundhog might look like.
3. Count to 10 with your child and skip a number, leaving a pause. Let him tell you the number that is missing. This is a great way for him to practice counting.
4. Show your child a picture of an ocean, and make drawings of what both of you think it might include.
5. Encourage your child to colour a picture today. Write her name at the top of the picture, spelling her name letter by letter as you write. Print the letters in your child's name. Ask her to name three words that begin with each letter of her name.
6. Show your child how to speak and act respectfully. This may be the most important lesson you can teach your child before he begins school.
7. Blow bubbles with your child using a bubble wand.
8. Go on a make believe adventure with your child and explore your surroundings in a theme of her interest.
9. Watch a local winter exhibition with your child, such as a hockey game, or figure skating.
10. Help your child make a puzzle today. Cut up a pretty card or magazine cover in large pieces. Encourage him to put the picture back together.
11. Look at a calendar together. Count the days left until the next family member's birthday.
12. Cook breakfast together for the rest of the family.
13. Explain to your child how opposites work. Say a word and ask her to say the opposite.
14. Today is Valentine's Day! Make or buy a card for your child, and together, make one for someone special in both of your lives.
15. Can your child sew on a button? This is a basic life skill for boys and girls.
16. Print out two sets of alphabet letters: one upper case (capitals), one lower case (small letters). Cut the letters out, mix them up and play a match-up game with your child (i.e., A-a, B-b, C-c).
17. This is Black History Month. Talk with your child about heroic Black-Canadians.
18. Play music and dance with your child. Help him make shakers out of empty toilet paper rolls and rice. Help him cover the ends with paper and tape to secure the rice grains.
19. Go through magazines and pick out pictures of your child's favourite things. Make a scrapbook of them throughout the year.
20. Newspaper numbers. Help your child look for numbers 1 to 50 in the newspaper. Cut the numbers out and glue them in numerical order onto a large piece of paper. If she cannot count to 50 or recognise numbers that large, only collect up to the number she knows. Ask her to say the numbers to you and practice counting up to that number.
21. Practice counting with your child while you set the dinner table. How many cups are there? How many spoons?
22. Play the "coloured food" game with your child today. How many food items can your child think of that are white? black? purple? red? What different colour foods did he eat today?
23. Show your child how to spell his full name, street address, city and phone number. Repeat this information often so that she can memorise it.
24. Write 10 things that your child would like to do during a snowstorm on pieces of paper. Fold the piece of paper and place it in a jar. When a stormy day arrives, have him pick one of the activities from the jar.
25. Ask your child to draw a picture of your family today. Ask her to name the family members in the drawing.
26. Encourage your child to try two motor tasks at the same time. Ask him to clap his hands while he walks.
27. Fill a pot or bucket with water. Have your child drop objects in the bucket to find out which will float and which will sink when you drop one in.
28. Number search activity will provide your child with lots of opportunities to practice number recognition, as well as counting and writing skills. Create a chart that lists the numbers from 1 to 20. Ask her if she has a favourite number, and if so, why.
Fun activities for you and your elementary school child
1. Take your child to your local library today and borrow books he's interested in.
2. Save old socks to make puppets with your child. Encourage her to put on a puppet show.
3. If you haven't already, try an outdoor winter sporting activity with your child. Have fun making snow-angels, snowmen or challenge him to a friendly snowball fight.
4. Include your child in making simple family decisions. Allow her to decide what kind of dessert the family should have tonight.
5. Find out how your child is doing with basic math. Incorporate toys, fruits or household items to help him with addition and subtraction.
6. It's the flu season. Teach your child to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing.
7. Play goalie against your child and see if she can beat you.
8. Encourage your child to drink water in addition to milk and/or juice. Explain the benefits of healthy habits.
9. This is Black History Month. Talk with your child about heroic Black Canadians.
10. Tell your child that you love him today and every day!
11. Is your child interested in a musical instrument? Discuss with her the option of taking music lessons.
12. Encourage your child to write a letter to a family member he has not seen in a while. Bring him to the post office or mail box and help him mail it. Send it in the mail for a special surprise.
13. On this day in 2000, the last original "Peanuts" strip was produced, featuring characters such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and others. Find and read a strip or two with your child, and see if the gags catch on with her as they did with children before her.
14. Today is Valentine's Day! Make or buy a card for your child, and ask him if there's anyone at home or at school that he would like to do the same for.
15. Praise your child often, but only when it's deserved. The way you praise your child shapes how she'll face challenges and deal with failure in school and life.
16. On this day in 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, which Canada follows, came into full effect. Talk to your child about the importance and benefits of cleaner air and a healthier Earth.
17. Help your child find the best time to do homework. Ask him what works best for him; after school or in the evenings.
18. Borrow a library book you enjoyed when you were your child's age. Ask her what she likes most about the book. Share your feelings with her also.
19. Ask your child to clip grocery store coupons of your favourite products. Redeem them together later.
20. Promote healthy eating habits by introducing more vegetables in your child's diet. Explain to him how vegetables can enhance the flavour of his favourite foods.
21. Hang posters of the alphabet on bedroom walls or make an alphabet poster with your child. Print the letters in large type.
22. Encourage your child to sort her books by subject. What subject does she like the most?
23. Make a list of emergency numbers to hang on the refrigerator with your child. Make sure to include numbers for the police department, fire department, family members and close friends. It's important that he understands what issues are considered emergencies.
24. Encourage your child to be as friendly and open with both peers and teachers as possible.
25. Teach your child to be independent. Decide on a task together that would make her more independent.
26. Remember that practice makes perfect. Help your child practice writing his name in cursive and neat printing.
27. Ask your child what changes she'd make if she were principal of her school for a day.
28. Encourage your child to start thinking about things that you can do with the whole family over the upcoming Spring Break, so you can plan ahead now.
Fun activities for you and your middle school child
1. Want to boost your child's self-esteem? Help him find a hobby. It'll nurture his creativity and help him discover who he is.
2. If you and your child hear a word you don't recognize, look it up in the dictionary.
3. Some middle schoolers come under peer pressure. Teach her about responsible behaviour and self-esteem.
4. Make eye contact with your child while he talks. This shows that you're listening.
5. Make physical fitness part of your child's healthy lifestyle. Find activities she enjoys. Set a good example by being physically active also.
6. Next time your child misbehaves, use a consequence that teaches rather than punishes.
7. Find three ways to show your child how much you love him.
8. When is your child's next big test? Plan a good-luck breakfast for that day.
9. Follow a recipe with your child. Let her read the directions and measure ingredients.
10. Would your child like to play a musical instrument? Encourage his interest.
11. Visit a new place with your child, such as a park or a museum.
12. Promote a healthy body image for your child with exercise and nutrition. Make sure she does not view extreme thinness or overbuilt muscles as the "ideal" body type.
13. It's helpful to know your child's friends. Make your home "kid friendly," so kids will hang out there.
14. Does your child dawdle during homework time? Have him set a timer while working.
15. Does your child refuse to attend school? Figure out the cause and know when to get help.
16. Don't let your child watch TV while studying, no matter how much she wants to do so. It's important to focus and concentrate on schoolwork
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17. Every child has his own challenges when it comes to schoolwork. Help your child overcome problems by helping him with questions or getting a tutor.
18. Look at pictures in magazines or newspapers with your child. Guess what the captions say.
19. Monitor your child's academic progress. Talk about school and get to know her teachers.
20. Do you compliment more than you criticize? Compliments should outweigh criticisms three to one.
21. Link responsibilities to freedom. As your child becomes more responsible, he'll have more freedom.
22. Have a taste test. Try new foods or different brands of a favourite food.
23. Give your child an alarm clock. Make getting up each morning her responsibility.
24. Get your child a daily planner to keep track of homework and activities. This will teach him about organization. Organization can make the difference between doing well academically, socially and emotionally.
25. Look in the newspaper employment ads together. Ask your child to find a job she might want someday.
26. Make a phone list of important numbers you and your child might need.
27. Expect your child to accept the consequences of the choices he makes. Remember, choices do not apply when your child's safety is at stake. Controlled choices will allow your child to make decisions.
28. When your child loses items, have her replace them. She'll learn to be more careful.
Fun activities for you and your teenager
1. February is Black History Month. Talk with your teen about heroic Black Canadians.
2. Compliment your teen on something about his appearance today.
3. If your teen fails at something, find at least one thing she can learn from the experience.
4. Every family has its own values. Instill the character traits your family values in your teen.
5. An accountable teen takes ownership of his actions, and deals with the repercussions. It's a necessary step toward becoming a responsible adult.
6. Mail your teen a Valentine's Day card so it will arrive by the 14th.
7. Math help (and other homework help) is one of the best uses of the Internet as a learning tool. The next time your teen is stumped by math homework, have her check the Internet for help.
8. Is your teen interested in working in the medical field? Encourage him to explore career options through volunteering at a children's hospital or in the children's ward of your local hospital.
9. Talk to your teen about developing safe driving habits. She must make sure that all passengers. Including herself, are wearing seatbelts at all times.
10. Motivate your teen to work harder in school by helping him focus on his dreams. Take him to a college or university career fair in your area for more information.
11. Watch a travel program with your teen today. Talk about a place you'd like to visit.
12. If your teen has a part-time job, advice her to save money for college or university.
13.Urge your teen to take notes in every class. Teachers usually indicate what will be on the test.
14. If your teen is a "couch potato," help him find some physical activity he enjoys. Talk to him about the importance of developing healthy habits.
15. Reconnect with your teen by planning a fun outing together, like watching a movie, window shopping or attending a sporting event. A change of scenery can really improve the relationship between parents and their teens.
16. Talk with your teen about the qualities of true friends. It may give her something to think about. What qualities does she possess? Does she consider herself to be a true friend?
17. When your teen is reading, have him jot down words he doesn't know and look them up later.
18. Does your teen want to earn some extra money? Help her start a new business, like pet care or tutoring. This will give her a chance to use math and other skills as she develops responsibility.
19. Talk to your teen about the dangers of substance abuse.
20. Tonight, attach a note to your teen's pillow that tells him you love him.
21. Parenting a teen is tough. Carve out some time to take care of yourself.
22. Be prepared for changes in communications with our teen. Let her know that her thoughts, opinions and feelings are important to you.
23. The next stage for your teen is adulthood. Encourage him to take care of himself, without constant help from parents.
24. Being a teen can be tough. Maintain a good home environment to prevent stress.
25. Ask your teen to tell you about someone she admires, and why.
26. If your teen has read a classic for English, see if there's a video. Watch it and compare it to the book.
27. Learning to manage money is a big part of growing up. Have your teen use the four-jar system to budget money wisely. All the money he earns goes into the jars.
28. Teens, like adults, feel pressured for time. Talk about how to set priorities and balance her time.
