On this Grandparents Day, let’s take time to recognize all our grandparents that have played a special role in our lives. Not only do grandparents form meaningful relationships with their grandchildren, but they also affect their grandchildren in so many other ways, including academic performance, improved emotional well-being and enhanced social skills. You may not see it, but our grandparents have positively impacted us throughout our lives.
Research shows that grandchildren who have a close relationship with their grandparents are more likely to have higher academic achievement than those who do not have a close relationship. This is because grandparents provide a stable and comfortable environment that allows their grandchildren to explore and grow. Grandparents are also known to provide a stimulating environment by reading, solving puzzles, and playing brain games with their grandchildren. Grandparents also have a different mindset on education, which can support grandchildren throughout each phase of schooling.
Grandparents provide a secure and stable environment, which is helpful to children, especially in times of upheaval. Research shows that grandchildren that have close relationships with their grandparents have fewer emotional and behavioral issues, including anxiety, depression and aggression. Grandparents can also provide wisdom to their grandchildren about how to cope with their emotions and hurdle over difficult situations. In addition, grandparents can also provide culture and history to the family, which can be essential to children’s emotional well-being.
In addition to academic and emotional support, grandparents can also enhance their grandchildren’s social skills. Grandparents can be positive role models on how to behave and speak, even in stressful times. A study performed by Social Science and Medicine found that children who have close relationships with their grandparents had better social skills, including higher levels of empathy and fewer behavioral problems. Spending time with grandparents can also provide opportunities to interact with others of all ages, depending on the events and activities that the children tag along with.
Go celebrate your grandparents today and show your appreciation for everything they have done for you. Let today be a day of love, fun, and more bonding. And to the grandparents, celebrate yourselves today as well.
Written by: Kaitlyn Keenan,
Graphics: Kat Eddy
Marketing & Communicaiton interns