How to Make a Happy Child

Many may think that the way to a child's heart is through Wal-Mart. You might get a smile that way, but anything having to do with money may make the child happy for a season, but seasons pass. A child needs companionship, attention, and a caring warm body with whom to spend time. The quick thrills brought about by brightly color paper and dazzling ribbons soon fade from the eyes of a lonely child. If you have a child in your presence, don't waste the time in front of a TV set. Sit down and share some quality time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A child
• A book
• A method to add a touch of music
• A favorite toy
• A big area to spread out

1. A time with Grand-dad. 1. Find a story book with pictures.
   2. Recline in your favorite chair.
   3. Call the child into your lap.
   4. Flip through the pages of the book together.
   5. You can read the book to the child, make up a story as you go along, or just talk about the pictures. You'll be surprised at what you can come up with on your own.
2. Seth's favorite toy is a train set. Looks like one of Grand-dad's too. 1. Bring out the child's favorite toy.
   2. Find a nice open area and go for the floor.
   3. Ask the child to set things up as you assist.
   4. Play pretend and employ a little made-up dialog.
   5. A few chuck-a-lugs chuck-a-lugs wouldn't hurt.
3. Seth and Grand-dad tickle the ivory together. 1. What better activity for quality time than a little music.
   2. A radio, tape recorder, or old phonograph will suffice.
   3. You can resort to a keyboard. Hitting the correct notes is not the purpose in this activity. It is the sharing that is important.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not the activity but the human contact that children need.
• Time with a parent or grand-parent is not as quickly forgotten as last year's birthday present.
• Quality time with a child is like a solid investment. In the beginning the interest rate may be lower, but the compounding daily adds up to greater dividends; an inheritance handed down from generation to generation.
• This special time should be something the child likes to do.
• The time together doesn't have to be lengthy, just private, with closeness between the two of you.