When Joyce Thomas retired from her position as kindergarten teacher at the Ichabod Crane School District, she and husband, Jack, had some plans.
One was to finally renovate the kitchen and open up the space to include their family room. Their children were grown, married and out of the house. They were looking forward to designing this new space in their home where they would spend their leisurely time.
As the saying goes, life happens while we are making plans. The first grandchild came along, a beautiful baby girl and a few years later, her brother, a beautiful boy. So that adult focused kitchen/family room combo took on a very different purpose.
Along with a change in living space, Joyce and Jack, now Nana and Papa, took on new roles. They would be the chosen babysitters for their precious grandchildren while the parents worked, and the new grandparents wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gradually the space developed into a state of the art learning center very much like the classroom Joyce had provided for her kindergartners at school. She created a home school complete with a calendar corner, an active play area with blocks and other toys for child development, musical instruments for marching around the kitchen and a quiet place for books and educational websites on the computer. And when Nana needs a cup of tea and a few minutes of quiet, Papa steps in to take the children for a walk in the fresh air.
With her keen sense of humor, Joyce jokes, “I am Nana. I am growing up with my grandchildren. I understand them because I know how to think like a child. I relate to them because I can be a child myself!”
Then she shares a more serious thought, “I am also aware of being a role model, teaching them by my example.”
Although the children probably don’t realize it, there is order and routine to all the activities they find so entertaining at Nana and Papa’s house. Joyce will tell you that a child sitting in a highchair is a captured audience, so take full advantage. Smiling and talking to the baby, face to face, teaches communication and enhances literacy. Even without Joyce’s knowledge of sound educational practices, there are simple strategies anyone can use to promote learning.
With all her expertise Joyce will be the first to admit that children are the best teachers. While making preparations for her husband’s birthday, Joyce absentmindedly asked her husband to help. Her granddaughter corrected her politely, “It’s Papa’s birthday, he shouldn’t have to help, I’ll help.”
Meanwhile her grandson is busy punching a helium balloon anchored on the floor. Joyce asks him to stop. However, the next day she realizes that the balloon is the perfect height and performs just like a punching bag. So she tells him that she thinks he has discovered a new toy and since the birthday is over, enjoy it!
If you’re in tune and paying attention, trust your instincts and follow the child’s lead. Joyce advises grown-ups to allow children the time and space to make things like forts. So what if you find yourself sitting on the springs of your couch because the cushions are being put to good use? And she adds, “Leave the creation up for a while; don’t be in a hurry to take it down.”
Joyce will tell you that being a grandparent is like being royalty. She quotes Proverbs 17:6: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” And the final thought she leaves with us to ponder is a quote that hangs on her fridge: “My Nana always made me feel she had been waiting to see just me all day, and now the day was complete. “(Nancy DeMaree)
Pack your bag
Paper, crayons, markers, tape to hang up artwork,books, play dough, iPad and a camera to record memories.
What’s at the library?
`Mo’s Stinky Sweater` by David Bedford
`Knuffle Bunny` by Mo Willems
`Pete the Cat and the White Sneakers` by Eric Litwin
For K-2, `The Lighthouse Family Series` by Cynthia Rylant
What’s online?
What’s Happening?
Starting in November, on the last Monday of the month, The Albany Area Visitors Center is announcing the grand opening of a Building Block Room for children accompanied by adults to come and collaborate on an original design and then build it together. The room is supplied with plenty of building blocks in all shapes and sizes as well as information to help you get started.
Email questions and comments to [email protected], check out the website grandmasgotgigs.com and friend us on facebook. We want to hear from you!
