Golden Opportunity-Grandparenting (Vol. 8, No. 3)
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The Golden Opportunity -- "Grandparenting"
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"The Golden Opportunity -- "Grandparenting" is an extension newsletter
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.)
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Volume 8, Number 3, 1997
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
What Can You Teach?
Taking Time To Teach Your Grandchildren
Remember When
Share Your Expertise
Take A Break
Target Practice
Tire Gardens
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Dear Grandparent,
Do you consider yourself a teacher? You might say no because you don't have a
teaching degree. But wait, aren't you the person who spends quality time with
your grandchildren teaching them the important "stuff" about life? Things
like how to put a worm on the hook or throw a fast ball or put sprinkles on
hot cookies?
You don't have a degree from a university, but, as a grandparent, you have
life experiences. You have talents and know how to do so many things.
Perhaps you hold some special degrees that aren't issued by an institution.
How about a B.S. degree in FUN and a Ph.D. degree in PATIENCE?
Sincerely,
Jane A. Mecum, CFLE, Perry County
--------------------------HERE COME THE GRANDKIDS----------------------
What Can You Teach?
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How did you answer that question? Were you able to think of all the wonderful
things you do to enhance the lives of your grandchildren? Did you just think
about the material things or did you include items like patience, endurance,
love, and happiness?
Here is an exercise that might help you realize how important you are as a
teacher for your grandchildren: Take a few minutes and write down all the
things that you like to do and can do. For example: gardening, painting,
sewing, knitting, hunting, golfing, internet, etc.
How long is your list? Next, write down the ages and the things that your
grandchildren like to do. For example:
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| Grandchild's Name Age Likes to do |
| |
| Sarah 3 Play house/color |
| Mike 5 Play ball/run |
| Billy 8 Ride bike/football |
| Judy 10 Draw/cook |
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Go back to your first list. Is there anything on that list that may be
similar to the second list? You might not be able to teach a 3-year old to
play golf just yet, but how about teaching the skills to kick a ball? The
5-year old will like to play miniature golf while the 8 and 10-year old might
enjoy a trip to the par 3 golf course.
Next time one of your pre-adolescent grandchildren come over, how about
teaching him or her how to paint a fence? They can learn about painting, you
get a job done, and get to spend quality time together. Take into account the
age of the child and make sure your expectations are not too high.
You can teach patience, perseverance, quality, love, sharing, communications,
and many other nurturing skills to grandchildren of all ages simply by taking
part in their lives. You may not get to see them often, but when you are
together, make the time special and unique.
At your house, grandchildren can learn "neat things" with someone who has the
patience and special time just for them.
Sometimes it isn't so much what you teach as it is the time you spend
together. All of us -- young and old -- each of us needs to feel special.
Prepared by Jane Mecum, CFLE, Extension Agent, Perry County
------------------------CHILDREN'S PAGE-------------------------------
Target Practice
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If target shooting or hunting is a hobby of yours, try this simplified version
of target practice. As your grandchildren mature, you can introduce them to
the appropriate sporting goods.
Materials:
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* plastic squirt bottles or meat basters
* water
* target (large rock or something like a paper plate with a bull's
eye painted on it)
Set up a target outside. Let your grandchildren try to hit the target using
the squirt bottles, filled with water. Aiming at a target requires the skills
of adjusting angles and pressure.
Think of different kinds of targets. A can set on a stump a few yards away
would be fun. Let your grandchildren see how far they can make a bottle
squirt.
Tire Gardens
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Share your love of gardening. No need to spade up a large plot of soil, a
small garden can provide just as much fun. Tire gardens can be an ideal way
to expose grandchildren to growing plants outside and not take up too much
space. The tire wall generally protects the plants from being trampled.
Materials:
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* old car or truck tire
* enriched soil
* young plants
* seeds or bulbs
Place the tire or tires in a spot out where there is plenty of sun. Fill the
tires with soil. Plant seeds, bulbs or small plants in the soil. Water
regularly.
Make labels for each tire describing what was planted in them. Use the seed
envelopes. Try taking photos when you plant the garden, and at weekly
intervals once the small plants have emerged.
(Source: The Outside Play and Learning Book, Karen Miller, 1989).
Prepared by Andrea Bressler, Extension Agent, Clearfield & Jefferson Counties
----------------------------GRAND IDEAS--------------------------------
Take Time to Teach Your Grandchildren
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Children learn in many different ways and when we try to teach them how to do
something, we need to remember that we may need to try a variety of methods to
get the idea across. If you try something once and it does not work, try a
different method. We all have different learning styles and reactions to
teaching methods. What works for one may not work for someone else.
Learn By Doing
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One of the easiest teaching methods is to do things together. For example,
when making bread -- encourage your grandchild to follow the recipe. Ask
questions while making the bread. Why do we need yeast? What happens if we
use boiling water to dissolve the yeast? What kinds of flour are we using?
What kind of breads do we eat? Why do we need to let the bread rise twice?
Together knead the bread, divide and form rolls or loaves. Although rolls may
not be exactly like yours, think back and remember your first loaf of bread.
With practice and experience comes perfection. When the bread comes from the
oven, share a warm roll. It will be a memorable experience.
Remember When
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When grandchildren visit (especially at family gatherings), take a few minutes
and share some of your childhood experiences. How far did you travel to visit
your grandparents? What kind of transportation was available? How often did
you visit? For special meals, who carves the meat? Who taught you to carve?
Who are you going to teach to carry on this tradition?
Share Your Expertise
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Over the years you have probably developed many different skills. A few
examples include: painting, cleaning, car maintenance, gardening, and
grooming. Did you develop those skills on your own or did someone take time
and show you step by step how to develop some of these skills?
For example: You have been a gardener for years. With your grandchild, make
a list of what a gardener does and then follow each step.
A. Plan your space
B. Select seeds or plants
C. Prepare the soil
D. Plant the seeds or plants
E. Weed and water the plants
F. Harvest the flowers or vegetables
Giving your grandchild a space for their very own flower or vegetable garden
will be an ongoing learning project. Together you can share some quality
time.
Take A Break
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Sometimes when we are showing someone something, like our grandchild, we can
get very frustrated when they don't do what we think they should be
immediately. The best advice is to TAKE A BREAK. It could be a few seconds,
minutes, hours, days, or even weeks. Come back and try later, the topic, time
or temperature may be more appropriate.
Prepared by Sandra P. Hall, Extension Agent, Clinton & Centre Counties
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability,
performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state
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the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201
Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801: Tel. (814) 865-4700/V,
(814) 863-1150/TTY.
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Dr. Dan Lago, Ph.D., Penn State Extension Aging Specialist
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
323 Ag. Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802-2601
(814) 863-7871
Internet Address: DJL@PSU.EDU