Grandparenting is more important than ever. It’s also much harder to do than a generation ago. This is the second in a series on grandparenting.  

What you learned a generation ago about feeding, teaching, and playing with infants is virtually obsolete. Parenting skills were transformed by improved research and technology in the past 25 years. Here’s a list of tips and tricks to bring grandparents up to date with caring for infants.

Food. When starting solids at six months, add nutrition and develop a diverse flavor palate by adding a dash of cumin, paprika, turmeric, unsalted mild curry powder, cardamon, cinnamon or nutmeg. ” There is a sensitive period when children are more receptive to trying new flavors and textures between six and nine months,” says Cinthia Scott, a Pediatric Registered Dietician (PRD®) and Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC®).   

Sitting. Grandparents need to be able to get on the floor or do this activity seated on a couch with your grandchild in front of you. Make it easier for your baby to balance while sitting up by placing a cushion under them to tilt their hips forward and engage the muscles along the spine. "Or, if you’re on the floor, rest the baby on your ankles in front of you and hold baby’s thighs to support them," says Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist Deana Rosaia. Hold a stuffed animal toy in front of the baby to grab.

The Achoo Game. Place a stuffed animal on your head and say “Achoo!” shaking your head so the toy falls off. Infants think it’s hysterical. By repeating the exercise, you may get lots of laughs. Repeating the Achoo Game may prompt baby to crawl or walk to the toy when it falls to the floor. To promote baby’s first words, place the item on your head and say “Ah, ah, ah,” and wait for baby to say “choo!”   

Ms. Rachel. Rachel Griffin-Accurso, better known as Ms. Rachel, is a YouTube star, songwriter, and educator. Songs for Littles, her children's music series, focuses on language development for toddlers and infants. She started her YouTube channel in 2019 with her husband, Aron Accurso, a Broadway composer, in response to the lack of online resources for engaging her son, who had a speech delay. Infants are mesmerized by Ms. Rachel but remember engagement with screens is not as valuable in child development as is your full attention.  

Start A 529 Plan. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education costs. The person who opens the 529 plan account is the account holder or the saver and responsible for deciding how savings is invested. The student is the account beneficiary. Money in a 529 savings plan may be used to pay for tuition and other expenses tax-free from kindergarten through college and graduate school.

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