10 things you already do that will help your child in the future!

So i was reading this article the other day about revelations of a new study that “Disobedient children make more money as adults”

Now that was a revelation indeed! Because all i think of when i’am bringing up my 3 year old is to teach her to behave well and discipline her. Looks like she wont be earning as much as her disobedient peers eh?

But then again the logic behind this finding is that Disobedient children will be more aggressive when it comes to negotiating and asking for a raise and will be more competitive than their peers.

This got me thinking on what “purpose” do i instill in my child?

Well for me primarily she should grow up to be a content and happy human being. Having said that it would be nice to see her succeeding in whatever career she chooses. and yes earning good money is definitely something she would like , i suppose!

Does that mean i hope she starts getting disobedient , knowing that trait will help her in the future? errr noways, but there are some other characteristics which will help them in their career!- and these are things we can help them with right now!

Eye for detail: Don’t we all know how much this trait can help all of us when we are going through tons of presentations and documents and even in life in general! Here is how i learnt i could build a keen eye for detail in my child.

1. Puzzles: This i have realised is the best thing to gift a preschooler (remember to get them big size puzzles with less number so you don't have to use a mop to clean up the zillion pieces after the game!). An extended game that can be played once your little one masters the puzzle is to ask them to spot something on the finished puzzle (start with a big object and then to tiny objects which will really make them a keen observer)
2. Spot it!:This game can be played while reading a book (you do not necessarily need a “Where’s Wally” for this). Just pick any of their story books and once you read it ask them to spot objects on the page(Again starting with big to small)
3. Question time: Lil A just loves the part where at the end of a story, we ask her questions which gets her a pat on her back(literally!). Make your own questions if your books don't have them already and see your pre-schooler put their thinking hat on!
4. Memory Game: This game is a sure time killer on those rainy days when you are stuck at home. Instead of doing mindless painting and cutting papers in the name of craft work(i dread the cleaning up after!). This one is a bit more productive and aids memory recall. Step 1 is to make flash cards with small chart papers- let the child draw one object on each card(beginning with 6 cards). This activity with the drawing and colouring itself takes some time and just when they are bored of doing it , you unveil the memory game to them! ta-da! Arrange the cards- objects facing downwards in one line or two. Flip the cards one by one and show them the objects they drew. Place them facing down again. Now randomly ask them to flip the card when you call out an object.For all the preschoolers who are new to memory game i think they should be given 2 chances if they ask for it! Play away!
5. Cook n Bake!: Whoever thought that baking with a preschooler can lead to not just a real messy kitchen but also a child with a keen eye for detail? Allow me to explain! But first you will need aprons for you and your child, measuring cups, and old newspaper to protect your kitchen counter top! Make the lil one measure the chocolate chips/sprinkles/sugar/ flour/ water/ milk starting with cup full and then once they get a hang of that allow them to measure till the measuring lines of a cup(1/4 cup, 1/2 cup etc). This requires concentration and a lot of attention to detail which helps them hone those skills. Give them small scoops and ask them to fill different measurements in the cups before adding it into the mixing bowl. Once that's done then its just fun for them whether it is whisking, kneading or just mixing up the ingredients. Chocolate chips to top it , anyone? While you are here take a look at this super easy chocolate chip cookies that you can bake with your little one! (Eggless Wheat chocolate chip cookies recipe) - Disclaimer - a lot of ingredients might just go missing if you turn your back even for a second, so step out of the kitchen at your own risk!;)
6. Hot and Cold: Another game for those long rainy evenings when park is just a distant memory! Things that you will need for the game are : a small object that can be easily hidden, some caffeine in you, a good snack in your little one, vocal cords intact(more for you). Lets do this! Take turns hiding the object while the other player has their eyes closed(if its your pre schooler sending her to the other room works- well sometimes).Hide the object and once they try to find it guide them with the hots and colds(hot = very near the object/ Cold= far away). Sometimes lil A plays this game with so much energy that i use it to find things(mostly her toys) which have been misplaced and guess what? we do find them! Aha!! Smart Alec!
7. I Spy!: This is an old favourite which i introduced to lil A one find day when we were in the car and i was trying to wade through the mad traffic after a crazy day out in the play zone with a highly recharged toddler who refused to stay in her car seat. Before i turned myself into a maniac driver to drown the wails coming from the back seat, i excitedly unveiled a new game to the hungry-for-fun-games toddler i was chaperoning around. i spied all things that she liked and she was so excited to try her own spying it was funny to see her think of things and frame questions around it without actually saying what it is! so go ahead give them clues to things they have seen and experienced and save yourself in a situation when you are stuck(literally in a traffic jam) with them and your hands are tied! I spy Something soft and moist and sweet which melts in the mouth-Chocolate!(i should stop spying chocolate!(mouth watering)
8. Scavengers hunt!:This one is a park activity on days when you are done playing hide & seek, pushing them on the swing, making funny whee sounds when they slide , getting mud all over your shoes in the sand pit and your arms ache from all the spinning of the merry go round. Lets go hunt for nature treasures(err not really). The hunt is all about increasing their concentration and building it by focusing on specific things like hunt for a brown leaf/black & white feather/ long and thin leaf/ round pebble. These specifications help them focus and also learn shapes and colour in a fun way! Go hunting today! Disclaimer- you might be probably forced to bring the treasure back home ! :(
9. Word of the day!: Learning a new word everyday builds their vocabulary and obviously remembering them is a good exercise for that lil brain! Go ahead and toss some big words to them and get surprised how easily they catch it!
10. Counting: Nothing required more eye for detail for pre schoolers than counting. One of the mommy’s i know practices this with even legumes- to make them count and also explain why legumes are important in their growth. That's like hitting both the birds with one stone! Well done! Even writing numbers on one side and drawing objects matching the numbers on the other side and asking the pre schooler to match is another way to inculcate love for numbers in a friendly non overwhelming manner. You sure can count on this one!