Thank-you notes

In today’s age of email, Blackberries, cell phones, and the like, the power of a hand-written note is not to be underestimated. It is never too early to teach your children the importance of saying thank-you in a heart-felt manner!

For the really, really little ones, tracing or stamping their hands (or feet) onto the note card (or piece of paper) can mean so much to the recipient! Just think of the warmth this will give your child’s far-away family.

As your child is able to hold a crayon or play with stickers, encourage him/her to “write” a thank-you note, and you can add the message afterwards.

Let your child dictate the message to you, or help you come up with what to say. Your little one can even trace over your letters or sign his/her name!

Before you know it, your child will be reminding YOU that he/she wants to write a thank-you note. You’ll be amazed at the graciousness that will grow within your child — all with this early foundation of saying “thank you” the old-fashioned way.

Don’t trash those grocery store ads!

If you don’t already, hold on to those grocery store ads that come in the mail and newspaper this week! Enlist your little one to help you plan your grocery shopping. The ads are full of pictures of the items on sale, and each is labeled with the name of the item. This is an instant word book!

Hand your child a washable marker and ask him/her to circle the items you need to buy that week. Working together, you can identify the products by picture and by name, and also work in conversations about decision making. For example, if your kiddo circles something that is laden with unhealthy fats and sugars, you might ask, “Is that nutritious? Does that help our bodies grow? Does it help build bones and muscle?” Then, work together to find a healthier alternative — or maybe you already have a better alternative in your pantry or refrigerator. Also, if your little one suggests something that you already have plenty of at home, you could ask your child if you really need more of it. Get those little gears moving in his/her brain. You’ll be amazed at how smart your child is!

As for building the shopping list you take to the store, consider spending the extra 15 minutes to either help your child write down (by copying) the words from the ad, or perhaps your child could draw the items. If you’ve introduced child-safe scissors already, get them out (and that beloved glue stick too) and ask your child to cut out the items you’ve agreed upon and glue them onto a list.

When you both arrive at the grocery store with your lists — yours with everything included and your child’s with the items from the ad — lay down the ground rules for the expedition… Only buy things that are on the list. Cross off each item as you find it. Stay within arm’s reach of Mom/Dad the entire time. Of course, add in anything else that works for your family!

I find that if I involve my 3.5-yr-old in helping to plan the grocery list based on what’s on sale, he’s much more cooperative at the store. You’ll thank yourself, and the other shoppers will appreciate it too. 

Writing & remembering the alphabet

My friend Jade passed along these techniques for teaching your little one how to write the letters:

There are a ton of wipe-off books you can buy to help with writing skills, etc, but I just resorted to having [my 3.5-yr-old daughter] watch me write the alphabet on a blank piece of paper and then she traced over the letters herself. We did this repeatedly and she was writing her letters and numbers in no time!

I also make up cute ways of describing to her how to write the letters if she forgets. For example, to make a capital P, I tell her to make a straight line down and a little loop-di-doop on the top. A capital B is a straight line down and two loop-di-doops. That works for us!

Thanks, Jade!