As a mother, I am constantly thinking about ways I can enrich my children. Every thing I do with them in life is a potential learning opportunity. Quizzes disguised as fun games. Songs that teach. “Rewards” that consist of an extra book at night or a few minutes on the computer to play (educational) games. My kids just don’t know how much I psych them out. Silly kids, think they are having fun when they are actually learning! 
So this is why I think MegaSkills for Babies, Toddlers, and Beyond by Dorothy Rich, EdD & Beverly Mattox, MEd is such a great book. It is for parents of children ranging in age from 1 to 6. Throughout the book, there are ideas on how to take ordinary objects and situations, and turn them into extraordinary learning activities. Some of the games are so simple and unencumbered that you can play them with your child at the spur of the moment with nothing but the two of you and a little bit of time. Still other games require that you do a little preparation and actually sit down with your child to dedicate your focus. And of course, there is also everything in between. But what all of these activities have in common, is that they are designed to teach your child something, at an age-appropriate level, in a manner that is engaging and fun…. and effective.
This book is about enriching the whole child. It goes well beyond teaching ABCs and 123s. Although these type of learning games are in the book too, what really impressed me are the character-building suggestions that are included. Those admirable traits that we all want our children to possess as they grow unto adults, but which are also the most subtle concepts to impart to your little one. Ideas are in this book on how to help your child understand and practice respect, responsibility, caring and iniative to name only a few. This is more rare to be included in a “learning activity” book, but just as critical as the other more typical objectives if you want a well-rounded child.
Perhaps best of all, the book is neatly organized – making it quick and easy to locate the age group and the desired topic. Each game description is only a paragraph or so long, which means that you can randomly choose an activity, quickly read up on it, and be ready to play with your child in (literally) a couple of minutes. It is not a book meant to be read from cover-to-cover in one sitting. It is a reference, to have handy again and again over your child’s entire early years. Moms with busy crumb snatchers can all appreciate that! There are even some charts in the back which allow you to complete a self-assessment on your parenting technique as well as chart your child’s progress on the MegaSkills you’re helping him/her work on.
MegaSkills is practical, helpful and inspiring. It helps you stay focused on your dedication to your child and reminds us all that there are constant opportunities everywhere you look to teach your child something valuable and new. Have fun with this book as you and your child both discover the wonderment to be had in the daily routine.
