What does playing early learning games accomplish?
- You provide an early learning foundation for younger children, helping them become school ready
- You provide a way for older children, already in school but perhaps needing extra help, to acquire skills in a safe, fun, non-punitive environment. When playing these games, it won’t feel like they are being singled out for not knowing early learning skills. They’ll simply be playing a game and having fun.
- You’ll be contributing to the notion that learning is enjoyable; this is an important school-readiness skill!
When can you play Grandma’s House?
Since this talking game requires no “props”, you can play anytime. As a bedtime ritual, getting ready in the morning, during a long car ride, instead of TV, while you are doing chores together while taking a hike-anytime you want!
How to play Grandma’s House:
- Start out by saying, “What did I bring to Grandma’s for dinner?”
- Then say a letter of the alphabet.
- Your children now have to think of as many different things as they can that start with that letter. It doesn’t have to be a food, but it does have to be something that you might bring to dinner. Food is fine, but so are forks, tablecloth, flowers, candles, etc.
- See how many items you and your child(ren) can think up.
- When you’ve both run out of ideas, switch and let your child think of a letter.
© Parent Trust for Washington Children