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September 19, 2007
What To Do Today?
Saturday morning dawned overcast and rainy. A day in front of the TV set didn’t appeal much to Mom so what could keep four kids busy for the day? Not only what could keep them busy, but what would be fun and actually help them learn something useful?
Hm, two of the kids seemed to having trouble with math at school this last couple of weeks. What activities could we do that would help with math, be fun, and keep everyone out of each other’s hair.
Breakfast was a place to start. As the kids rolled out of bed, Mom suggested several choices for a fun breakfast, but the kids would have to agree on one and help to make it. After some bickering and perhaps a little bribery, the decision was biscuits, honey, fruit, and hot chocolate.
Fine, the youngest child was to choose the fruit and count out one of each for each of the four children. The oldest was to peel and cut up the fruit and measure equal amounts for each child. The middle two would make the biscuits.
The biscuit makers needed to read the recipe first and then figure out how many biscuits they would need to make to fill up four hungry children, Mom and Dad. The recipe made only four biscuits, so they had some work to do to figure out how much they would need and what their decisions would do to the measurements for all the ingredients in the biscuits.
As breakfast moved into high gear, Mom was beginning to figure out what the rest of the day might hold. A game day would be fun. Since math was her theme for the day, Crazy Eights, dominoes, and Monopoly could all be games for the day. All the kids were old enough now to play although the littlest might need some help with Monopoly so she could team with her for that one.
Chores needed to be done first so the games could come after the laundry was folded and put away, but even the laundry could be turned into a game. Everyone could help so they could get to the games. How many red clothes did they have? How many socks? Who has the most shirts in this week? Why were Dad’s shirts’s twice as big as James?
Laundry done, let the games begin. The afternoon drizzle didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit during the Monopoly game even when the youngest feel asleep, Mom played on to the end. While everyone cleaned up the games Mom planned dinner strategy.
Pizza would work, but her math theme persisted. The kids could order pizza, but they had a budget. They had to figure out how to get the size and toppings at $.75/ topping and stay within the $20 budget. The oldest added to the equation by wanting to invite a friend for dinner. How would they feed five, no seven? You can’t forget Mom and Dad?
Okay, so your day doesn’t always go like this and you don’t have four children who cooperate doing the laundry. Neither did I, but with just a little bit of thinking about it, you can make your day and your child’s day into something fun, entertaining, and has some learning value. All it really takes is a little shift in thinking and you’ve got it. Now that you’ve got it, enjoy it.
Posted by Dr Joni at September 19, 2007 07:21 AM