Grandparent Opportunities 6/95
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"Golden Opportunities for Grandparents" is an extension newletter prepared by
Pennsylvania Family Living agents: Jane Beightol, Mifflin Co., (717)
248-9618; Andrea Bressler, Clearfield Co., (814) 765-7878; Nancy Covert,
Jefferson Co., (814) 849-7361; Debra Gregory, Huntingdon Co., (814) 643-1660;
Sandra Hall, Clinton Co., (717) 893-4050; and Jane Mecum, Perry Co., (717)
582-2131. This electronic version is for use by other agents or directly by
community members. (*Professionals: Please acknowledge the source of these
materials if you re-use them.)
THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY -- "GRANDPARENTING"
Volume 6, Number 3, 1995
IN THIS ISSUE
Here Come the Grandkids
Children's Page
Grand Ideas
Dear Grandparents,
In the last issue, we provided you with information about some of the issues
grandparents face when they become custodial parents. Just this month,
legislation in Pennsylvania is being debated and may soon come to the floor
for a vote in the Senate. If you want the most current information on Senate
Bill 434, call your local legislator. This bill gives grandparents the
opportunity to become appointed by the courts as custodial parents when the
natural parents are deemed unable to care for their children.
Whether you become a custodial parent or are a grandparent, discipline is
always an issue. It is important to recognize and address inappro- propriate
behavior as quickly as possible. Children of all ages need to know your
limits. Don't fall into the trap of always being the "Super Grandparent"
where the grandchildren get anything and everything from you. Yes, you may be
in a position to provide a little more than you did for your own children, but
remember, children love through respect. Setting rules and limits at your
house and being consistent will make your house a great place to be!
This issue has several tips you can use when the grandchildren come to visit.
Since each grandchild is unique, be sure to use the techniques that work for
that child. Also, remember that discipline methods may need to be changed as
the child matures. You may also want to check with your son or daughter to
find out what works at home.
Sincerely,
Jane A. Mecum, CFLE, Family Living Agent
TAKE A WALK AND LEARN
Did you ever take a "Field Trip" when you were in school? For most young
children the chance to observe something is the greatest learning experience.
Grandparents can be "tour guides" to show children not only new and different
things in the world, but also some of the common, ordinary, and everyday
experiences. Here are some trip and tour ideas:
AROUND THE ROOM OR HOUSE: Look at and name the furnishings and fixtures. Tell
about the selection and history of the house.
DOWN THE STREET: Compare buildings and materials used. What are the services
offered locally. Meeting neighbors of grandparents can be fun.
AFTER-THE-RAIN WALK: Notice the changes that water causes. Learn about
puddles. Look for rainbows. Observe worms. Learn about weather by taking a
walk on a windy day.
ANIMAL LIFE WALK: Look for living creatures and observe their characteristics
and homes.
GARDEN WALK: Learn what plants need to grow. Observe different plants and
different kinds of gardens. Smell flowers and pull weeds. Follow-up by making
vegetable soup.
COMMUNITY WALKS: Make your daily errands a learning experience for your
grandchildren-visit a bank, post office, gas station, construction site,
grocery store, even the hospital.
Once you get home after the walk, ask your grand child to draw a picture or
write a story about the trip.
(Source: OPEN THE DOOR, LET'S EXPLORE, Rhoda Redleaf, 1983)
GRANDPARENTS AND YOUNG ADULT GRANDCHILDREN
Because many people are living longer and healthier lives, the
grandparent-grandchild relationship may extend well into the grandchild's
adulthood. University of Minnesota Extension Family Sociologist, Susan S.
Meyers has summarized studies of college-age students and their grandparents.
Do her following observations concur with your experiences if you have college
age grandchildren?
Students perceived grandparents to have strong influence in the areas of
loving, helping, and comforting; as role models; and in sharing family
history. They saw grandparents as important to the lives of young people; and
as people with whom they have fun. The students felt that grandchildren
should express love and provide help to grandparents; and that they give
grandparents a sense of the future.
They do not expect to be "spoiled" by grandparents, and thought that
grandparents enjoyed the company of younger persons. Today's college students
are inclined to expect grandparents to be liaisons between them and their
parents; to be someone to turn to for personal advice; to understand them when
nobody else does; to aid in their financial support; and to act as a role
model. Students noted that grandparents are frequently a stabilizing and
buffering influence during family conflicts.
-- Written by Debra A. Gregory,
Family Living Extension Agent, Huntingdon County.
Summertime is a great time to have fun with gooey, wet, sloppy projects that
can be done outdoors, or indoors if you don't mind using lots of newspaper for
protection underneath.
All kids love to paint and print.
Here are some ideas to try from the Book, PAINT WITHOUT BRUSHES, by Liz and
Dick Wilmes, published by Building Blocks, 38W567 Brindlewood, Elgin, IL
60123. Liz and Dick say, "Go beyond the paint jar and brush to encourage
children to explore the world of paint."
Keep clean-up as easy as possible. It's a good idea to have the grandkids wear
old clothes or a paint cover up. Old shoes too.
That way everyone can relax and create.
Expect a mess to be enjoyed. Respect each child's work and display it. Talk
positively with them about their work. Continually encourage. Help them to
learn organization while getting set and let them help you clean up
afterwards.
FLY SWATTER PRINTING
____________________
READY:
Clean fly swatters Pie pans
Tempera Paint Butcher paper
SET:
Roll out the paper and put a brick or rock on each corner to secure it.
Pour about 1/4 inch of paint into pie pans.
Use a different color and a separate swatter in each pan.
GO:
Let the grandkids lift the fly swatters out of the paint and slap them on the
paper. Slap over and over again. When the print becomes weak dip the swatter
into the paint again.
Old rolls of wallpaper work if you can't find butcher paper.
After the print dries, hang it up to admire on the porch or in a hallway.
Try this idea using 1/2 sheets of newspaper rolled into balls as printers and
an old bed sheet to print on for a "custom" made wall mural. An old sheet
child printed in browns and greens makes a nice camouflage tent for later
dramatic play. Just drape it over a card table or secure it over a
clothesline.
LID PRINTING
____________
READY:
Collect a variety of jar lids and caps Meat or fruit trays
Butcher paper or other heavy paper Tempera paint
SET:
Cut paper into large circles, lay flat.
Pour small amount of paint into trays.
Use different colors for variety. Put several shapes and sizes of lids in each
color.
GO:
Show grandkids how to dip lids into paint to make different colors and sizes
of prints.
WHAT ELSE?
Think of other items to print with that are similar to the lid idea: box tops
of different shapes and sizes, parts of the body, such as, fingers, thumbs,
elbows, feet, hands. Various tools and kitchen implements, such as potato
masher, whisks, slotted spoons, pasta server, sieve, cookie cutters or a fork.
TUBE PAINTING
_____________
READY:
Collect a variety of sizes of paper tubes.
Large meat trays or foil cake pans.
Tempera Paint
Paper plates.
SET:
Pour shallow amount of tempera paints into the trays or pans.
GO:
Roll tubes in different colors to cover.
Stand tube on paper plate to thoroughly dry.
Then help the grandkids string them lengthwise through long pieces of yarn and
hang them up for decorations. Or add cotton ball eyes to make a pull along
caterpillar. Use different lengths for variety.
The grandkids can also string them horizontally from each other to make an
interesting mobile.
Prepared by Nancy Covert, Jefferson County
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Dr. Dan Lago, Ph.D., Penn State Extension Aging Specialist
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
323 Ag. Administration Building, Univeristy Park, PA 16802-2601
(814) 863-7871
Internet Address: djl@psu.edu