It’s a long weekend and whether your family is in the north part of North America celebrating Thanksgiving, or in the middle part with a Columbus Day holiday, there’s an extra day for some learning and fun together. We all know that parents are children’s first teachers, but it isn’t so obvious that what children first learn within the family will impact not just kindergarten readiness, but outcomes at school and beyond. These are some activities and learning that may happen for your family:
Many families will be getting together this weekend and sharing a meal. Some early social skills that even young children can learn are sharing, taking turns, waiting, and saying please and thank you. This will certainly be an opportunity to practice all of those.
- Another activity this weekend might be spending time outside. At this time of year, many of us will use the extra day to rake leaves and do yard work before winter. This is a chance to help children learn first-hand about seasonal changes and develop their understanding of nature.
- Hopefully, there will be some time to play as well as work. We all need to include play, not just kids, plus playing together helps grow emotional connections to each other.
Playing, working, and eating will quite likely be part of everybody’s weekend, no matter where you live. Whatever it is that your family will be doing, Have A Great Long Weekend! How will your family be spending time together?