Grandparent Discoveries Blog

Led by retired Kindergarten teacher and grandmother of four Cheryl Beaudoin, Grandparent Discoveries explores the joys and challenges of grandparenting. Featuring a mix of Cheryl’s first-person perspective and the thoughts of child development experts, we hope to prompt a lively exchange of stories, questions and ideas. Leave us your comments or email gpdiscoveries@gmail.com. 

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4 covers of Kindergarten books

What is Kindergarten Ready? An update...with books!

Cheryl Beaudoin
We are just weeks away from the start of school—it is such an exciting time, especially for families of rising Kindergarteners! You may wonder how you can help prepare your grands, and you also may. . .
a grandmom smiles with her two grandchildren

How To Plan a Summer Camp

Cheryl Beaudoin
books, camp
It's the time of year when I begin planning for Camp Gigi, and I thought it might be helpful if I pulled together in one place all the advice I've given in various posts on how to plan a camp for your. . .
a grandmother speaks with her two grandchildren

How To Tell Stories to Children

Cheryl Beaudoin
relationships, storytelling
Last November, Discovery Museum hosted authors Silke Rose West and Joseph Sarosy to talk about their podcast, teachings, and book entitled, How To Tell Stories to Children as part of our Discovery. . .
a grandmother holds her grandbaby, smiling and singing to her

All About Lullabies, Part 2

Cheryl Beaudoin
music, relationships, singing
Have you ever started rocking your little grandbaby to calm them and have some nice cuddly time with a lullaby...but your mind goes blank? It happens to me all the time! In my wonderful discussion. . .
two young children in hooded rain jackets stand in a rain puddle together

Camp Gigi, Year 2

Cheryl Beaudoin
books, camp, memories, nature
I’m happy to report that Year 2 of Camp Gigi was a big success! This year, the second year that I held a week-long summer “camp” for my grandchildren, our schedule was much more free-flowing than the. . .
A grandmother squats down, holding a dandelion in front of her toddler granddaughter

Grandparenting Through Tragedy

Cheryl Beaudoin
I have been sitting with all the feelings associated with another school tragedy in our country. As a former teacher, it especially hits hard. Going through the safety drills with kindergarteners was. . .

Leaving Legacy

Cheryl Beaudoin
memories
I frequently think about the kind of “legacy” and memories I will leave with my grandchildren. I would guess that many grandparents think about this at some point or another. For me, this hit close to. . .

Reading Together, While Apart

Cheryl Beaudoin
books, reading
Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him. —Maya Angelou Having come from the world of education, I know it is. . .

Camp Gigi: Reflection

Cheryl Beaudoin
camp, memories
In reflecting back on my experience of putting together a week-long camp for my two oldest grandchildren, there are lots of things to think about. Would I call it a success? For sure! But, would I. . .

Camp Gigi, Part 2

Cheryl Beaudoin
activities, books, camp, scheduling
Last summer I hosted Camp Gigi, a one-week summer “camp” for my grandchildren, with the simple goal of creating strong memories for them with me and with each other. I was very excited to do this but. . .

Camp Gigi, Part 1

Cheryl Beaudoin
camp, cousins, memories
Many years ago, two of my friends who are teachers told me how much they loved hosting a “camp” for their grandchildren every summer. Each fall they would tell me how it had gone, what they did for. . .

What About Grandfathers?

Cheryl Beaudoin
grandfathers, parents
Discovery Museum CEO Neil Gordon became a grandfather just over a year ago. Neil’s grandfather name is Gogo! I always love hearing how grandparent names come about—for Neil it was because of one of. . .
a young boy plays with cars on a low table

Facilitating Purposeful Play

Cheryl Beaudoin
conversation, play
Almost all creativity involves purposeful play. —Abraham Maslow Grandparents play with their grandchildren in so many ways. Whether it’s building with blocks or LEGOs, creating things with clay or. . .