Time Together, Time Well Spent!
What’s inside...
Spending time with family and friends is important. Sometimes our schedules become so hectic we forget to slow down and really interact with one another. Time Together, Time Well Spent reminds us how much fun families can have playing games, building forts, riding bikes, and reading books together. Sharing these simple joys lets us get to know each other and ourselves more deeply, and often leads to many more fun adventures. Time together really is time well spent! “A wonderful antidote to the presence of increasingly isolation-heavy media and technology.” —Midwest Book Review “At its core, this book does what good books do—has you start from page one again upon its conclusion.” —Zachary Pullen, acclaimed author and illustrator Los Angeles Book Festival Winner 2012 Children’s Book Category, Honorable Mention
Age
9-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite activities to do together with family or friends?
How do you feel when you spend time with the people you care about?
Can you think of a time you helped someone and made them smile? What did you do?
Why do you think it's important to spend time with others?
What new activity would you like to try with your family or friends next time?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open body language and maintain eye contact to show you are actively listening to your child’s responses.
Encourage your child to elaborate on their answers by asking follow-up questions related to their responses.
Relate the discussion back to specific scenes or characters in the book to reinforce connection with the text.
Share your own experiences and feelings about spending quality time with loved ones to deepen the bond and conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of spending quality time together
Explanation: Throughout the book, various activities are depicted that family members enjoy together, showcasing the joy and bonding these moments foster.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and prioritize meaningful interactions with their family and friends, reinforcing the importance of togetherness in building strong relationships.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of simple pleasures
Explanation: The characters find delight in simple activities like reading a book or playing a game, highlighting that happiness often lies in simple, accessible pleasures.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to find joy in everyday moments and appreciate the small things in life, fostering a sense of gratitude and contentment.
Example Lesson: The benefits of cooperative play
Explanation: The story illustrates children and adults participating in games and projects together, emphasizing teamwork and cooperative play.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to engage in collaborative activities that promote social skills, teamwork, and communication, vital for successful interactions at school and in other social settings.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: Characters engage in storytelling and creative games, sparking imagination and creative thinking.
Real-World Application: By engaging in creative activities, children can develop their imaginative capabilities, leading to enhanced problem-solving skills and innovative thinking in real-world scenarios.
Example Lesson: Balancing indoor and outdoor activities
Explanation: The book portrays a balance between indoor reading and storytelling with outdoor physical activities, stressing the need for a balanced lifestyle.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of balancing sedentary activities with physical play, which is essential for their physical health and overall well-being.