"Give a man a fish...."

Empowering a child to find his own way through life is a critical key to his development. You know the expression, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you've fed him for a lifetime?" Read as, "A child whose hand is held forever won't be able to cross the street by himself."

Since a child's environment plays a key role in his development at every stage of his young life, we as parents have a responsibility. We need to make sure their environment is pleasant, including the space they're living in, the behaviors of the people around them, and the toys that they have access to. What they are exposed to, inside and outside the home, molds who they will become. Further, it shapes the kind of parent they will grow up to be.

Visits to the park, playground, museums, concerts, exposure to books, games and music...all of these can be beneficial, and need not cost a lot. Many museums have some hours each week where admission is free. Your local library is another spot for free programming and free loans on children's books. Look for outdoor summertime concerts in your local park. Please write in your comments on things you do that other parents may wish to share.