Dear Ealy Family,
February is a month that celebrates love. During this “Leap February,” you have 29 days instead of 28 to celebrate! Here are some fun and easy ways to show love for your child – 29 ways for 29 days:
1. Spend a little time each day playing entirely at your child’s direction.
2. Send an encouraging note with your child’s lunch, or tape the note in his/her locker.
3. Make family routines and traditions. Try to share at least one meal as a family each day. If weekdays are impossible, then make time every weekend.
4. Talk to your child about school and friends.
5. Pick out candy conversation hearts with loving messages and present them to your child.
6. Go to the playground together. Swing on the swings.
7. Find something about your child’s music to compliment. Listen to music together.
8. Pay attention to what your child is doing. Things that seem mundane to parents can be very important to children. Share your child’s little victories.
9. Let your child help with what you are doing.
10. Build a snowman together.
11. Catch your child being good, and offer praise.
12. Read a story together. Take turns reading.
13. Give a foot massage.
14. Make something with your child, like brownies or a birdhouse.
15. Use magnetic letters or words to put loving messages on the fridge.
16. Do a challenging jigsaw puzzle together.
17. Take a long walk together, at your child’s pace.
18. Send your child a card in the mail, with stickers or a treat inside.
19. Develop a secret word or gesture that only the two of you know the meaning of.
20. Take your child out to lunch, just the two of you. Or, bring your lunch to school and eat lunch with your child in the school cafeteria.
21. Cook a recipe together - your child’s choice.
22. Find a board game you both enjoy and schedule regular tournaments.
23. Read the funny pages together.
24. Set aside a little time each day to talk about what’s going on in your child’s life, judgment free. Start by telling three things about your day, and ask three things that happened during your child’s day.
25. Stick an encouraging note on your child’s mirror as he/she sleeps.
26. Offer to take your child and a friend to do something special, like sledding or ice skating.
27. Show interest in your child’s thoughts and feelings so he/she will be more willing to come to you with problems and concerns.
28. Ask your child about his/her dreams for the future. Encourage those dreams!
29. Make popcorn and watch a movie together.
Of course, the very best idea of all is to say “I love you!” to your child as often as possible. Don’t forget to accompany those words with a giant bear hug! Happy Valentine’s Day!
~Mrs. Major
(231) 893-1040
