One on one time with children should be fun and frequent.  It is important because it builds the parent/child relationship, develops trust, attachment, and security.  Try spending small amounts of time, many times through the day, doing things your child likes.

Try these:

• Read a book
• Build a fort
• Cuddle or tickle
• Sing or dance
• Go for a walk
• Bake
• Colour or draw
• Go for a bike ride
• Look at family photos

Spending time as a family promotes positive relationships and develops communication.  Life is busy and it can be hard to make time to do things all together, so start out small.

Try these:

• Play family games
• Hide and seek
• Walk
• Read stories
• Cook
• Watch a movie
• Talk

Mealtimes, bedtime and car rides are great for talking.

 Try asking everyone these:

• Share the best part of your day?
• Share one kind thing you did today?
• If you won $100.00, how would you spend it?
• If you were Prime Minister, what would you do?
• If you were an animal, what would you be?
• My favourite colour is…..(number, animal, sport, book)

Family time and talking encourages children to be open.  It develops routines where time together is a priority.

To learn more about quality time and other parenting skills, please feel free to email me directly at  lmcintosh(at)childreach(dot)on(dot)ca.

Lisa McIntosh, Parent Educator