Consider your child's ability before trying new activities PDF Print E-mail
By February, you and your child may feel a bit housebound. A new outside activity may be just what you need. Not only will it get you out of the house, it can stimulate your preschooler's learning, too. Just remember the old saying: "Look before you leap."

Be sure to consider:

* Ability. Can your child lift a bowling ball? Can she make it through a hike? Avoid activities that may be beyond your child's developmental ability.
* Temperament. Veteran parents advise caution at the movies. Even some "G" rated films may leave your child in tears. Your active child may love the ice rink. But a quiet child may be happier with a quick visit to a museum.
* Cost. Even if you can afford them, expensive activities for young children may end in frustration. Attention spans and behavior vary widely at this age. Many parents report having to leave places before they "got their money's worth." So, check your local paper or a community website for free or low-cost activities for families.

Reprinted with permission from the February 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Early Childhood Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Carol Baicker-McKee, Fussbusters on the go: Strategies and games for stress-free outings, errands and vacations with your preschooler, ISBN: 1-56145-263-7 (Peachtree Publishers, www.peachtree-online.com).