Help children to fall in love with books. Go to the library, join a children's book of the month club. Read to them. Encourage them to read to you, encourage beginning readers to read to younger siblings. Create a play area. Use a box to collect different articles that can be used in play.

Have toys that are "open-ended". Toys that are single purpose quickly become boring and are a waste of money. Buy generic toys that encourage imagination, such as Legos, paints in primary colors, trucks, magnifying glasses, dolls.

Set up a quiet area where children can retreat. A large box, the space behind a couch will do just fine.

Buy dress-up clothes at the thrift store.

Encourage letter-writing to family members or pen pals.

Make up stories and lullabies for children. Whatever you do will be fabulous to their ears.

Encourage children to learn to do household tasks. Praise their work. Let them know you appreciate it when they do a good job.

Cultivate friendships with children of different ages in your neighborhood. School age children can play with preschoolers very effectively.

Cultivate "benign neglect." Give children space and time to find their own activities. If they're bored, it's not your fault.

Create a "game night" where the whole family plays a board game together.

Talk to other parents, share ideas.

Copyright © The Television Project, 1993

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