Parents nowadays have clung so much to technology in beliefs of entertaining and cultivating their children’s minds through it. It has become the most reliable parenting partner, most especially for the busy and working ones. Not to discredit the help given by educational videos and fun games brought by the internet, but try to take a look at two ‘common’ yet underrated bonding’s we could do with our children. I would like to share activities parents can do with their kids.
The first is cooking with them. Make them experience the thrill and excitement of mixing stuff to form a delicious snack, or educate them through it by simply making them help in preparing the needed ingredients. Cooking with children will expose them to the different types of food including the essential vegetables and fruits. According to Maggie LaBerba, a Registered Nurse, this activity will help the children develop a positive connection with fresh and healthy food, which will eventually be their strong foundation for good nutrition. Aside from that, children are said to be active learners; they catch up through tasting, touching, feeling, smelling, and listening. With that given fact, they will love this type of rendezvous as they can read instructions, follow directions, measure ingredients, and have a little taste test along the way.
They will not only enjoy the process, but they will also learn and greatly develop their fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and even flourish early concepts of math and science.
The next one is making arts and crafts with your kids. Unpack all your hidden oil pastels, crayons, pencils, and papers and let you and your child’s imagination do the magic. Just like what was mentioned above, by doing arts and crafts, a young mind’s motor skills and coordination will be cultivated effectively. Over and above, it will also help your child to unfold their concealed creativity and productivity. With a variety of shapes, colors, materials, and activities they can choose, they can turn that endless imagination into something more fruitful. Also, with art’s countless possibilities and choices, it could make kids think critically. Will their house’s roof be red? Or will the horses turn pink? Deciding on these things will help them evaluate their own decisions and make them determine whether to change it or leave their masterpiece that way.
Additionally, one great thing about doing arts and crafts with your kids is it helps them express themselves. Children will, in general, be extremely visual about all that occurs around them, and they for the most part retain a great deal of data consistently. Notwithstanding, there will consistently be kids who are normally shyer and not that OK with communicating in words. Those children may search for various, more visual approaches to communicate their feelings and musings – and arts and crafts can give them what they need.
Everyone is aware of the constant evolution of technology during these times but do not set aside the advantages that come along with happiness through spending time with your young ones. Hone them and push ‘em to the limits by making them participate in engaging and nourishing activities that will not only improve their set of skills and/or make them know themselves more but will also give them a different kind of love and care as they do things with you. Technology and the internet are indeed jam-packed with knowledge, but keep in mind that “Experience is the best teacher.”
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
