Dec. 16, 2015
“Parents have a significant influence on how quickly their children learn,” Thomas Moore wrote in 1999.
In an article in “Children and Families,” Moore listed “fun activities to try at home:”
“Talk with your child. Many of us fall into the habit of giving our children orders instead of listening and talking with them.
“Invent songs. Make up new words to ‘Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.’ You’ll boost your child’s creativity and encourage him to experiment with words and concepts.
“Give your child choices. Does she want cold cereal or oatmeal for breakfast? Even giving her a choice of educational television programs helps her learn to make decisions. This helps a child develop more independence and self-esteem.
“Allow your child to interrupt while you read him a book. Encourage him to ask questions or share a real-life experience that he remembers during the story.
“Make story-time exciting. Pretend you’re Bill Cosby [this was 1999]. Be expressive. Act out the story. And have fun!”
