How to Do "Quality Time"

Making Time. Tips for stressed parents on quality time with their child. 

‘Quality time’ can be hard to schedule. Though every parent wants to devote time to their child, it doesn’t always go as planned. Mom might be grumpy after a long day at work, or Russell doesn’t want to go to the beach. Expectations of quality time can sometimes make that shared time more stressful. 

1. Talk to your child. Just talking openly with your first grader can help build trust. Prompt them with questions. “Did you learn any new words today?” “How did you feel when Tommy next door got a labrador puppy?” Give your child the opportunity to talk every day. Listening will help you get to know them, their feelings, and their fears. It’s never too early to establish good communication with children. 
2. Read with your child. A love of books will open up new worlds and new information to your first grader. Read together before bedtime – it will really help their vocabulary, their comprehension skills, and their imagination. 
3. Activities. Take your child to the zoo, go hiking, have a picnic, play catch, or feed the ducks. Activities will draw you and your child together. After several weeks, you’ll have a fund of stories. “Remember when that duck chased you down the sidewalk!” Letting your child help plan activities will encourage independence as well as feeling loved. 
4. Pay special attention. You don’t always need to go out for activities. Have a tasting session for different cookies, pick out a new dress fabric, or make a new recipe together, anything where you pay extra attention to the sensory details of taste and touch. 

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