Quality Family Time in Yolo County
Tips for Activities to Bring the Family Together
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.
“Between work, school and other commitments, it is often difficult for families to sit down for even one meal together each day,” said Julie Gallelo, executive director of First 5 Yolo. “In spite of our limited time, it is important we find a time that works to connect with our children.”
Activities for the Whole Family - Spend time together doing a variety of activities suitable for the entire family.
• Start a 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’s helping 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 in your neighborhood, at a park or on the beach.
Activities for Parents - 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 museum to learn about exotic animals, fascinating history facts and many other educational topics. Call local zoos and museums to see if they offer free or discounted tickets on certain days.
• Set a play date. Show your children the importance of play and exercise by taking them to a local playground or park. Challenge each other on the monkey bars and demonstrate your skills on the swings.
• Make every moment count. Use every moment 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. Have your children help bag fruits and vegetables while describing each food’s shape and color.
Activities for Older Brothers and Sisters - 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. Chal-lenge 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.
Activities for Grandparents - Grandparents have so much love to give to their grandchildren. Suggest these ideas to create new memories together.
• Create a craft box. Use everyday objects from around the house to create a special craft box for young grandchildren. Encourage grandparents to keep a box of scrap paper, stickers, stamps, crayons and scissors for art activities when grandchildren visit.
• Swap stories – both old and new. Suggest grandparents tell family stories, including tales from their childhood. To keep children interested, show photos to illustrate the stories. For added fun, challenge grandparents and kids to create their own silly stories.
• Prepare traditional family recipes together. Ask grandparents to prepare family recipes with the help of younger children.
For more information on quality family time activities or First 5 Yolo programs, call 669-2475 or visit www.First5Yolo.org.
About First 5 Yolo
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. In November 1998, California voters passed a statewide ballot initiative to add a 50-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes. The funds collected are utilized to fund education, health, and childcare programs that promote early childhood development from prenatal through age 5. For more information about First 5 Yolo, please visit www.First5Yolo.org.