Traveling over the holidays? Make it educational and fun for the whole family!

During the holiday season, you may be spending more time in the car traveling to family gatherings. Here are a few suggestions, apart from movies, that may help to entertain and educate your child while you are making those long journeys away from home. The whole family can participate in these activities. Encourage older siblings to lead some of the word and number games.

 

1. Sing-alongs: Young children enjoy singing familiar tunes. You can use rhyming patterns in nursery rhymes and put the rhymes into singing tunes. Try singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Little Boy Blue. Young children like to sing counting pattern songs like: One, Two, Buckle my Shoe, This Ole Man, He Played One, or Five Little Monkeys. Singing the Alphabet song is a popular tune. Try teaching your child oldies but goodies like: Ole McDonald had a Farm or She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain, When She Comes.

 

2. Books on CD: Use the car CD player and have the matching book for your child to follow along with the story or download stories onto an MP3 player for your child to listen and follow along to.  This will keep your child engaged and entertained while you’re driving to your appointed destination.

 

3. Talking games:

 

• Name that Category: name four objects, three of which belong together in the same category and one item does not fit. Have your child listen for the item that does not fit with the other three.

For example: cat, dog, house, and rabbit: Which one does not belong? milk, juice, water, and box: Which one does not belong? pencil, shoe, pen, and marker: Which one does not belong? Soon your child will be making up his own lists for this game!

• Name that number: think of a simple word problem that will help your child improve in listening and problem solving skills. For example: You have two apples and I gave you one more. How many apples do you have now? You have six toys and you give your brother three, how many do you have left?

• Guessing games: Play “I Spy” or “I'm thinking of a number”. These activities will keep your child engaged in a thoughtful manner as they use the clues to uncover the mystery word or number.

 

4. Storytime: Select familiar Fairy Tales like: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood; or talk about family events and happenings that would be of interest to your child. Either way, you are helping your child develop good listening and language skills.