The following projects are perfect starting points for passing on your history and having fun with your grandchildren. AARP suggests getting grandchildren to help so they can learn, and start to connect the past and present.

Picture Perfect

Help grandchildren identify with the family history by gathering and preserving photos and old records.

• Ask relatives for originals they might have that you can copy.
• Learn who is in the picture and any interesting stories about them. Arrange all your collected memorabilia in a scrapbook.
• Write down the details of the picture and how it connects to other information you have about your family, such as diaries, letters and interviews.

Home Truths

A home is evidence of your history, as well as an expression of the people who lived in them. They also reveal trends in architecture and construction. Fixtures and landscaping are tied up with tastes and technologies. Also, a home might offer clues about births, jobs and the local economy.

• Take children to visit homes and towns where previous generations have lived.

Talk About It

Pass on stories of your family’s past by emphasizing funny adventures highlighting similarities or differences to your child’s experience.

• Gather these stories by interviewing your relatives and writing down their answers, or recording them on tape.
• Conduct the interviews with care, and you’ll end up with a coherent oral history rather than random reminiscences. The tapes will also preserve something fragile and precious: your narrators’ voices, how they express themselves, and a sense of who they are.

Road Trips

Take your family on a vacation to sites that are significant in your family history. This will bring them to life for the children.

Hand-me-downs

Keep a journal and write what you think and feel, see, read and hear about: weddings, jobs, scandals, news, politics and parades. Relax. Start small. Keep it fun. Years from now you will have a document that will fascinate your descendants.

Family Video

Use the following interview questions to capture your family story on tape:

• Describe where your family lived. What did you like best about it? How did it look? What color was your room? With whom did you share it?
• Discuss ethnic heritage and customs. Talk about religion: discuss what traditions and practices are most important to you.
• Describe past historical events: wars, past presidents, etc.
• Where did you go to school? Take a trip to the building, if possible. Talk about best friends and teachers, favorite classes, sports played and other activities and highlights of these years.
• Did you go to college, serve in the military or go to technical school? What did you study?
  What were the highlights of these years?
• Share pictures from your childhood. Describe or visit old houses and neighborhoods. Talk about
  neighbors and places you used to visit.
• What kinds of friends have you had in your life? Discuss what qualities made these people special. Arrange to meet them if possible.
• Tell the tale of your relationship with your spouse. Where did you meet? When did you get married? Where? What was the wedding like? Why do you love your partner?
• Talk about work: jobs you’ve had over the years. Talk about the challenges you have faced, the rewards you’ve received. If possible, visit a place of current or past employment.
• Pass on life lessons. Share hopes, philosophies, disappointments and advice.

This tipsheet is part of the Success By 6™ Parent Toolkit (pictured left).

Also included in the toolkit are tipsheets on meal ideas for young children, everyday activities for dads, childcare checklist and more.

Order your free toolkit now.

Source: Born Learning™, a public engagement and material distribution campaign that provides important information about what young children need every day to ensure quality early learning.  Designed to support you in your critical role as a child's first teacher, Born Learning materials are made available through the efforts of United Way, United Way Success By 6™ and Civitas.