Wednesday Tips #2 2015

08 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

by pamelaholko in holiday entertainment Tags: , , , ,

2014-12-16 05.03.54No matter how much siblings love each other they all seem to have the occasional periods of testiness with each other. Recently, my older grandchildren came to stay for a few days and one afternoon they were annoying each other (and me!) for some reason. Rather than getting more annoyed as I tried to restore a sense of calm, I tumbled them into the car and drove to a fabulous playground nearby. While I kept watch seated under the gum trees, the children had fun  running, jumping, balancing and climbing. After about 45 minutes I was revived and took home renewed happy children!

Motto: Never underestimate the power of a good run around in the fresh air.

 

Wednesdays at Gam’s
Providing daycare for grandchildren: What really works
Available from http://www.bookpal.com.au RRP $24.95

Wednesday Tips #16 2014

24 Aug 2014 Leave a comment

by pamelaholko in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

monopoly

I remember learning to play Monopoly when I was young and many hours were spent wheeling and dealing property with friends over school holidays. Fast forward about 60 years and there are  now junior versions available of this popular game . Although operating on much the same principle as the original game, these don’t take nearly as long to complete. A game like this is perfect for sharing with a grandchild on an afternoon too wet or cold to play outside.  Miss 6 and I have begun to discuss strategies for having a better chance of winning. Do you pay to get out of gaol or stay there to minimise your chance of paying your opponent? Do you aim for multiple properties of the same colour to double your chance or do you space your properties around the board? Great fun and a learning experience as well.

Wednesdays at Gam’s
Providing daycare for grandchildren: What really works
Available from http://www.bookpal.com.au RRP $24.95

Wednesday Tips #20

09 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

by pamelaholko in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

beetles

Beetlemania!

Do you remember playing the beetle game as a child?

With paper, pencil and a die you have the equipment necessary for a game of Beetles with your grandchildren. No scrounging in the games cupboard, no arguments over who uses which coloured counter and no cleaning up afterwards!

Quick, fun and ideal for those times when you only have a few minutes to fill in. Even good as you wait together in the dental surgery or hairdresser’s if you have a die tucked into a corner of your purse.

The rules are simple. As each player throws the die the number shown represents which part of the beetle she can draw. Each person must throw a 6 to start as that represents the beetle’s body. Once the body is drawn the head (5), 6 legs (4 for each one), antennae (3 each) and eyes (2 for each) can be added. The first to complete a beetle is the winner.

Dice games are good for building math concepts along with the social skills of learning to take turns and winning/losing gracefully.

Wednesdays at Gam’s
Available from http://www.bookpal.com.au RRP $24.95