Positive, Supervised Time at Home-Asset 20

Positive, Supervised Time at Home

Parents investing in this developmental asset for their children make sure they supervise and interact with them. Parents and their children spend most evenings and weekends together at home in predictable, enjoyable routines.

One of the best gifts you can give to a child is your undivided attention. Being fully present with a child is something they need, want and notice. Parents and adults need to work on being fully present as often as they can so the child feels a sense of worth, value and love from those around them.

Another gift you can give a child is some sense of regularity and predictability in their lives. Children thrive on a regular schedule. This allows them the luxury of knowing what to expect so they can focus their energy on learning and growing. One of the reasons children enjoy reading or having the same story told or read to them each night is the comfort they get from know exactly what to expect as an outcome.

Plan family adventures. Use your imagination when planning outings to keep them interesting. Take walks in new territories. Walk in the rain and point out to each other how this changes the experience from a walk on a dry day or a sunny day. Visit nearby lakes and look for skipping stones, frogs, swimming spots, etc. Explore your neighborhood and point out different colors and shapes.

Make sure adults in the family spend plenty of time at home with the children. It can be hard on children if they spend too much time home without their parents or too much time away from home.

Sing together. Parents and adults can teach children their favorite songs from their childhood experiences or look up lyrics to favorite songs and use them to create a sing along. Record your favorite songs and play them in the car or van and sing along on trips that can get boring.

Be aware of your child’s time in front of a screen (TV, computer, video games, cell phones) and limit it to reasonable doses. Many parents make “screen time” a reward for getting homework or chores completed. Avoid the tendency to let “screen time” be a child’s caretaker. In this regard, one of the most important things you can do is to be a positive role model. When you are home, start conversations with your children, invite them to play board games, suggest creative activities, suggest outings and generally make the point that real experiences are fun and exciting and are the thing to do when you have the opportunity to be together.

Enjoy the people in your life. Your family is top priority when they are available. Keep this in mind and in your heart. Any questions, call or email me.