Aiyana, my nearly 5-year-old granddaughter, came home from camp eager to tell me about the "improv" activities she had done there. (She and her parents and brother live in San Diego, I'm in New York). She gave me a scenario: one person had lost something, and the other had found it, but didn't want to return it. We soon figured out we could do this role-playing over the phone. What fun we had getting into character! Hearing Aiya's delighted laughter was an indescribable joy. 

When I visit, Aiyana and I play guessing games (I Spy, 20 Questions), make art, and perform improv activities. But we are discovering how much we can do over the phone, with no tech like FaceTime or Skype needed. Long-distance families are only limited by their imaginations. After our last session, Aiya asked me to guess who or what she was thinking about, using questions to narrow down the options. Great for developing vocabulary and expanding the minds of children, and keeping older kids sharp! (For more, see my previous post on long-distance grandparenting.)

As a librarian, I thought about resources we can use for inspiration and to expand vocabulary.  How about using two copies of the same book?…

American Heritage Picture Dictionary

With a picture dictionary, you can  play "Guess which word I'm thinking of?"

Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones by Gene Barretta

If you like homonyms, Dear Deer might bring lots of laughs and inspire kids to make up their own pairings.  

Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

For the pre-reading group, you can use your favorite picture books (with expressive faces) to improve a story. Mo Willems' Waiting is Not Easy—or any of his books dealing with emotions—would be perfect. 

I look forward to hearing how you stay involved with your grandkids' lives across the miles, being their friend and teacher and, most of all, having fun with them.