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March 23, 2001/Adar 28, 5761, Vol. 53, No.25
How can parents survive car travel with children?
CAROL BELL
Special to Jewish News
Q. I have three kids, and we spend lots of time commuting. I've tried road games, stories and tapes but the kids still constantly bicker. How can I make car rides more pleasant?
A. Sing! Think of some oldies but goodies, or your childhood favorites ("You are My Sunshine," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," or "Yankee Doodle"). Add some Shabbat, heritage and holiday tunes. Let the children take turns contributing a few from their repertoires - and you're set for family warmth and wonder on the road.
Q. I have a 3- and a 4-year-old in preschool. The teachers are very loving and they ask good (open-ended) questions while the children are with their blocks, puppets, books, puzzles and toys (which they refer to as manipulatives). My concern is that they are playing too much and not learning enough. Neither child has had to sit down in class to learn numbers or letters. Will they be ready for kindergarten and beyond?
A. It sounds to me as if your children attend a developmentally appropriate preschool where they are learning skills through play. Their play is work! I'm sure they are thinking, exploring, sorting, classifying, weighing, measuring, patterning, comparing, problem solving, developing social skills, vocabulary and discovering. Those are the experiences and skills they need now. Statistics continue to indicate that early learning accomplished in this hands-on manner results in the greatest success for future years in school and life.
Q. At what age or stage is it ideal to introduce a foreign language to a child?
A. There has been a great deal of discussion on this issue and opinions vary. I believe that the earlier you can expose your children to another language or languages, the better.
Q. I have only one child and saying good-bye in the mornings when I drop him off at his daycare is very stressful. Do you have any ideas to help?
A. Leaving, even for a few hours, can certainly be stressful for both you and your child. Try to develop a complete morning routine including a good-bye ritual. That could be waving at the window, blowing kisses or exchanging special words. Leave a photo of you or your workplace where your child can look at it. Don't sneak away - children need reassurance that you won't disappear when their back is turned.
Carol Bell is the Director of the Beth El Center for Early Childhood Education in Central Phoenix. She has an extensive background in administration and has conducted numerous parenting workshops. Questions for Bell can be directed to www.preschooldirector.com.
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