Developing Children Intellectually, Emotionally, and Culturally

  • How can you help your young grandchild develop social skills with peers during a prolonged period of social distancing (day care, preschool, and school is closed)?
  • How can you help your grandchild see the world through the eyes and hearts of others who do not look or sound like they do? How can you counter racism, prejudice, and discrimination with your grandchild? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • How can you help your school age grandchild cope with prolonged separation from friends and non-immediate family members?
  • If you are not located or cannot relocate near your grandchild, or cannot be with your grandchild because of social distancing or your physical condition, how can you maintain a close and continuous relationship?
  • How can you help a child manage emotions: e.g., anger, frustration, jealousy (including sibling), impatience, sense of unfairness, disappointment when someone else wins, superiority, narcissism, inadequacy/insecurity, fear, loneliness, or shyness?
  • How can you help a child whose gender self-identity does not match his or her biological gender? How can you help that child’s parents and other care providers and educators?
  • How can you help a grandchild set long and short term goals?
  • How can you help mold your grandchild’s values? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • How can you support your grandchild’s developing a personal style, voice, and personality? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • How can you guide your grandchild’s development of manners (e.g., saying “May I. . . .?” “please,” “thank you,” and “You’re welcome”), consideration and respect for others, kindness, and social conscience? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • Should you discipline a grandchild? If so, when and how? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • Should you share with your grandchild art, music, dance, or other cultural or sports activities without the parents’ request? If so, what activities, starting at what age, how often, and where? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • How much television, video, smart phone, and computer time is too much? How can you limit those activities? What conversations should you have with parents?
  • How do you discuss with your grandchild the serious illness or expected death of yourself or another family member?
  • How can you help a grandchild cope with his or her fears and behavioral rules to protect against disease?
  • How can you develop and nurture patience and perseverance in a grandchild?