One of the best things we can give our children is our time. Why not create a reward jar together full of fun activities for you to share and memories to create. Rewards of our time are like little gifts of love we give our children.

Parent and Child Activity

1. Children love to collect rocks. They are careful observers of how special and unique each rock is. Go on a hike or walk outside. Take a special bag or brown lunch bag. While you get ready to go, your child can decorate the brown bag. Collect 10 to 15 medium-size rocks. You can help your child understand the right size by gathering a small, medium and large rock. Tell your child the only size you need today are the medium-size rocks so you can draw a picture on them. While collecting rocks you may want to also use this time to make observations about the changes in the season too. You can find many wonderful nonfiction children's books about fall at the library.

2. Wash the rocks and lay them out to dry. You can use this as an opportunity to sort the rocks by color, shape, size, and texture. You can stack them, line them up, or follow your child's lead building with them. My little one surprised me when she picked up to rocks and began playing them by tapping them together.

3. Once the rocks are dry lay the rocks on newspaper. Gather paint and brushes. You can put out the three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. Work with your child to mix secondary colors: green, orange, and purple. Have your child paint both sides the rocks. * To help even washable paint come out of clothing better add a few drops of dish soap to paint before painting.*

4. After your rocks are dry, sit down with your child to discuss fun activities you can do together and make a list. Our list included an extra book at bedtime, playing dress-up, a tea party and finger painting. Once the list is complete, use a permanent marker and write and/or draw one activity on each rock.

5. Find a special jar, box, bag, plastic food container or canister to hold your rocks. Put your rocks inside. My little one loves this. Rather than buying candy or a toy you can use this as a reward.

More activity suggestions:

1. Instead of paint, unwrap old crayons and break them into small pieces. Preheat oven to 275 degrees and place rocks on foil-lined cookie sheet. Cover rocks with broken crayons. Place in the oven for 6-8 minutes until melted. Let rocks cool.

2. To extend fall learning create a gathering bracelet. Create a packing tape bracelet, with the sticky side out. Go outside and gather "jewels" for your bracelet. Take time to discuss your finds.

Laura Elson is a Westerly-based preschool teacher, mother and artist. Her column appears every month on graceforwomen.com.