May 12, 1999

With preschoolers...

• Write a book: Record and illustrate stories and/or poems which spring from their play and imagination
• Create a gallery: Choose a family member of the month and have everybody else paint a picture and tell a story which affirms that person (display in hallway or person's room or put in a scrapbook)
• Plant a garden (even one seed) and help it grow
• Conflict resolution/problem solving: Use puppets to talk out conflicts between siblings, parents
• Teach how to chop, stir, pour, and flip and cook together
• Learn songs and poems to sing and repeat together
• Introduce simple chores (bringing in groceries, cleaning up making a peanut butter sandwich, selecting wardrobe, etc.)
• Provide a calm voice, hug, and teach feeling-words when they are distressed over events or relationships
• Help child make decisions about everyday choices (food, clothing, play, room arrangements)

With school-age children...

• Introduce board games for problem-solving and social skills
• Read stories aloud instead of watching TV
• Teach telephone and door-greeting etiquette
• Help your child organize his./her study schedule
• Invite the child to plan and prepare menu items, using the time to teach good nutrition
• Allow the child to earn, count, save, and spend money
• Introduce a variety of recreational and skill activities (Scouts, music, sports, school projects) and resource people to work with a child
• Teach outdoor skills such as pitching a tent, making a campfire, or using a compass
• Help child and peers/siblings brainstorm non-violent solutions to their conflicts
• Create a family banner which recognizes historical and personal experiences, values, interests
• Visit museums, galleries, exhibits, natural wonders

With teens...

• Help adolescent find a volunteer activity helping others that where he/she can enjoy, take leadership, be creative, get to know/help others
• Role play assertiveness skills to avert peer pressure, adult exploitation and abuse
• Debate public and private issues from a variety of viewpoints
• Support independent learning experiences such as history fair, 4-H projects, science camps, foreign exchange
• Pass on a family heirloom to a teen, with its history and meaning
• Use a teen's critical thinking skills to gather information and make decisions on major purchases (car, house, computer) and activities (vacation destinations, recreational choices)
• Surf the Internet with your teen
• Encourage mentoring relationships with caring/competent teachers, youth leaders, career leaders
• Discuss characters, decisions, outcomes, etc. in TV shows, popular films and songs
• Work out a mutually-agreeable schedule that balances school/work/ and home time, friend and family priorities

If you are interested in additional information, or would like to set up a Families Worldwide Chapter in your community, please feel free to contact us via e-mail.

Families Worldwide
75 East Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84047
USA

Fax us: USA 801/562-6008,
or Call us: USA 801/562-6185

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