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Kidfun

Counting the Days …. Together

It seems amazing when you plan ahead and, finally, the big day arrives. For a toddler and a preschooler, you can say, “Only one month to go,” and he has no idea what that means. You can even try, “Only 26 days left.” Kinda’ meaningless. So, it seems the best way to share the excitement for an upcoming event is with an old fashioned PAPER calendar!

For example, if you are planning a trip to Disney World (hint, hint), find the date you are leaving on a calendar and have your child help you decorate that day. Use stickers (perhaps, one with Buzz Lightyear or Aurora or a big star) or color it with markers or crayons. Then flip the calendar over to today, assuming it’s days away and try to count together how many days before you go. Cross off days as you check the calendar together. Now your child will “get” it — being pictorial makes such a difference, which is exactly what I wish I did do for Ryan.

You see, we’ve planned and planned. We used to say, “One day we’ll go to Disney World together.” Then the decision is made to “book it,” which was in July. NOW, it’s here. OMG, only five days to go! WOW! What great anticipation we have all had! And, if you think about it, anticipation is a wonderful part of the experience of preparing for a trip.

And, for those of you who read to the end of this KIDFUN, I’ll tell you what is so special about the day we chose to leave on this adventure. It’s MY birthday! For this Grammy, there could be no better present than taking our kids and grandchildren to the land of … “make-believe!”

Sharla Feldscher has always been a "kid-believer!" She's written six books on creative activities to enjoy with young children and has written for magazines, newspapers, broadcast media and now has this blog with one easy-to-do KIDFUN tip each blog. She is also the owner of a public relations business in Philadelphia.