The relationship between a grandchild and grandparent is a very special one. While grandparents act as an authority figure and provide unconditional love, they also get to spoil their grandkids in a way parents simply can't. But beyond that, grandparents also wield incredible influence. Here are ten things grandchildren can -- should -- learn from their grandparents.
1. History
Kids may hate having to learn about history in schoolbooks and from old paintings and pictures, but they may find it more interesting to learn from someone who actually lived it. Children can find out what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression or World War II from grandparents who experienced life during that time. Personal stories are much easier to remember than lists of names and dates from books.
2. A New Skill Set
When they were growing up, many senior citizens learned skills such as sewing, gardening, baking, farming or woodworking. These are great things to pass on to grandchildren, as they may not be commonly taught anymore, but are still very useful talents to possess.
3. Wisdom
Turn to grandparents for life lessons and other advice because they've often lived through the same or similar experience -- possibly more than once. "Knowing how my grandparents dealt with problems in their lives, and knowing that they got through everything just fine, makes me feel that I'll be okay, too," Bishop says.
4. Family History
Everyone has those old black and white pictures of unknown relatives, but grandma and grandpa may actually know where they were taken and who those mystery people are. Ask about your family tree -- who are their siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles? You'll know about tons of family members you didn't know existed. And maybe they can share some funny stories about your parents when they were young. "It's really interesting to learn about the people who came before me and made my family who we are today," says Katie Matza of Shreveport, Louisiana.
5. Humor
Teasing is a part of growing up, but when it comes from someone who loves you unconditionally, it's way more enjoyable. Learning jokes and pranks from your grandparents is a great way to bond with them and understand how to react if you're teased by your own peer group. Maybe your grandparents will even help you play a prank on your parents.
6. Listening
Many young children are used to their parents listening to everything they say, and they expect others will do the same. While this is often normal for young children, it's important for them to learn how to listen to others as well.
7. Games
Ever played bridge, canasta, pinochle or pitch? These card games -- staples to older generations -- are falling out of style with the advent of video games and smartphones. Let your grandparents teach you what they did for fun when they were your age and you might find you have a new favorite card game.
8. Emotional Support
Having a sounding board who doesn't spend every day with you, like a parent or guardian does, can be invaluable when you're trying to navigate the teenage years. Amy Kelly of Libby, Montana says, "Adolescents rely heavily on each other during their formative years and [grandparents] can serve as an impartial source that can help them understand which friends they can trust and which they cannot."
9. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Grandparents have lived long enough to realize not to get upset over the little things; life is too short. Young grandchildren think everything is hyper-important, but can learn to adjust their priorities after discussing problems with their grandparents, who have a broader world view.
Grandparents come with years' worth of wisdom and love to share with their grandkids. Take the time to get really get to know and learn from them while they're here. They'll cherish the time they get to spend with their grandkids and, in turn, the kids will gain insight and character they can pass onto their own children and grandchildren someday. There's no better way to pass on family traits than through time spent with one another.
Citation：
https://www.care.com/a/10-things-grandchildren-can-learn-from-their-grandparents-1210110247
適用的題目：
The advice from grandparents has no use for their grandchildren because the world has changed a lot during the past 50 years.
重點搭配和句子摘抄：
authority figure ：權威人物
spoil their grandkids ：溺愛他們的孫子、孫女
wield incredible influence：產生很大的影響
unconditional love：無條件的愛
find it more interesting to ：發現做xxx非常有趣
the Great Depression or World War II ：大蕭條、二戰
Personal stories are much easier to remember than lists of names and dates from books.
個人的故事相對於書上的人物和日期可能會更容易記憶。
skills such as sewing, gardening, baking, farming or woodworking：
像縫衣服、園藝、烘焙、耕作和木工活等技能
pass on to grandchildren：傳給孫子們
lived through the same or similar experience ：
度過同樣的或者類似的經驗
old black and white pictures of unknown relatives：
不認識的親人的古老黑白照片
siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles：
兄弟姐妹、父母、爺爺奶奶、阿姨、叔叔
Learning jokes and pranks from your grandparents ：
跟著爺爺奶奶學開玩笑和惡作劇
bond with ：建立關係
played bridge, canasta, pinochle or pitch：
玩橋牌、凱納斯特紙牌、皮納克爾
falling out of style with the advent of video games and smartphones：
隨著視頻遊戲和智慧型手機的到來，xxx變得過時了
navigate the teenage years：度過青少年時期
rely heavily on ：非常依賴於
during their formative years ：在他們性格形成的時期
serve as an impartial source ：作為公平的源泉
adjust their priorities ：調整他們最重要的事情
have a broader world view：有更廣闊的世界觀
years' worth of wisdom :多年的智慧
cherish the time they get to spend with their grandkids ：
珍惜他們跟孫子們的時間
gain insight ：獲取洞察力
There's no better way to pass on family traits than through time spent with one another.
為了發揚家庭的好傳統，沒有什麼比在一起度過珍惜的時光更好的方式了。
作者簡介：
孟炎，託福(TOEFL)口語優秀主講師，畢業於密蘇裡大學哥倫比亞分校，經濟學碩士，SAS高級程式設計師。託福114，GRE高分通過(1330),2008年外研社全國大學生英語競賽特等獎(全省僅4人)，演講比賽優勝獎;全額獎學金獲得者，曾在經濟系任研究生助教教授美國本科生經濟學課程。
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