As a long-distance grandma, I miss the growing and learning experiences with my grandkids. I always read to my children when they were young which instilled a love of reading and books. So how to do that while far away?
I’ve come across several ideas to pass along.
If both you and your far-away children have a web cam, you can start early by reading and showing books to babies, of course while cooing at the same time. That way they will learn your voice and face and get a little reading in too. If you do not have a web cam, a CD or DVD will work too, but without immediate interaction.
For elementary age, plan a long distance story to write back and forth to each other and draw pictures to stimulate their artistic side. I’m working on a story with my 8-year-old granddaughter. I began the first page with the character and beginning. Then I left my last sentence incomplete so she could finish it and go from there. This was to be a project to cover the summer time, say maybe 6-7 pages at least. However, when I got her second page, the story was finished. Now I need to somehow continue the story with clearer explanation of what I want. I plan to save and copy it, that is-if the story is longer than 2 pages, for a keepsake.
If they are pre-teens or teens you can email, send pictures, encourage them in their activities, and maybe, just maybe they will write back. Or check their My Space/Face Book and leave goofy comments.
Of course always send age appropriate books, check out what’s being read and sometimes read it first for content. Then you will have a better discussion than, “did you like the book?” Find books that are about their special interests and be involved. Note: if they are into books you do not think are suitable, you might read one to be able to intelligently discuss the negatives. They might even think you are cool that you took the time to read their book. (Maybe)
I know I’m missing a whole host of ideas, what other things might I do to create a reading/writing interest? What have you done?
I’ve come across several ideas to pass along.
If both you and your far-away children have a web cam, you can start early by reading and showing books to babies, of course while cooing at the same time. That way they will learn your voice and face and get a little reading in too. If you do not have a web cam, a CD or DVD will work too, but without immediate interaction.
For elementary age, plan a long distance story to write back and forth to each other and draw pictures to stimulate their artistic side. I’m working on a story with my 8-year-old granddaughter. I began the first page with the character and beginning. Then I left my last sentence incomplete so she could finish it and go from there. This was to be a project to cover the summer time, say maybe 6-7 pages at least. However, when I got her second page, the story was finished. Now I need to somehow continue the story with clearer explanation of what I want. I plan to save and copy it, that is-if the story is longer than 2 pages, for a keepsake.
If they are pre-teens or teens you can email, send pictures, encourage them in their activities, and maybe, just maybe they will write back. Or check their My Space/Face Book and leave goofy comments.
Of course always send age appropriate books, check out what’s being read and sometimes read it first for content. Then you will have a better discussion than, “did you like the book?” Find books that are about their special interests and be involved. Note: if they are into books you do not think are suitable, you might read one to be able to intelligently discuss the negatives. They might even think you are cool that you took the time to read their book. (Maybe)
I know I’m missing a whole host of ideas, what other things might I do to create a reading/writing interest? What have you done?
Wish I was there,
Karen
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