Often at times, the trip starts at the airport with excited and maybe nervous children preparing for what may be their first time on an airplane. Thankfully, most airlines will allow pre-boarding for families with young children to avoid the crush of the regular boarding call. Arriving at the airport in plenty of time to familiarize your children with the airport processes will help and will allow also allow them some time to explore the airport. Regardless of if you are traveling by air or by car, always remember to pack snacks, drinks, books and other attention holders to avoid the dreaded, "Im bored" complaints. An extra change of clothes also helps in the event of any travel related illnesses.
Coloring books are a thing of the past. Kids today arent as thrilled by a basic coloring book as children a generation ago. That is because these children have been spoiled by all the fantastic new methods of coloring using the computer or with fancy markers and pens. While you might get away with a coloring book and crayons for a long car trip, dont expect your school age children to sit quietly at the table coloring pictures the old fashioned way - there is a something better around, and they know it.
So weve identified that every new skill that we learn requires a step-by-step approach. Youll notice that even coloring in can be broken down in smaller steps in terms of the stages of the development of this type of skill. A child will begin by simple learning how to pick up and hold a crayon or colored pencil. Then they will learn how to apply the color onto the paper. Youll notice that your child goes over the lines of the outlined drawing at first but dont worry, this is only natural. Your child will soon learn how to color within the outlined areas. You should encourage your child to select different colors for different parts of the drawing.
