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is not a vital component of the process of implementing family time or development. In fact, it is often discouraged. However, it is television itself that encourages education and positive family rituals.

Examples include the George Lopez show and Nickelodeon. On many of the episodes, which can be found on the cable station Nick at Night, the Lopez family gathers to play games, laugh, tease each other and connect. Multiple generations participate and family stories increase the power of this visual communication medium. The popular ABC Family, often seen on Saturday mornings, airs commercials with the stars of its shows. The celebs, often kids themselves, laugh and joke as they enjoy time outside.

While the latter example does not involve families directly, there is no reason why families cannot use the outdoors as a place to connect. Whether a family is inside or outside, learning can take place. For example, a child can learn about laughter by watching family members tell jokes, read the comics, share stories and play games. These ideas do not require a specific location or excessive money.

Games represent a field of ideas families can choose from to help encourage time together and education skill boosting is often paired with positive interactions. Consider this from a child's perspective. Learning is matched with school and play is matched with home. By showing a child how to learn through play, even with homework, frustration and stress can be eliminated or at least reduced. Children may see school as a social event, or boring, even if they enjoy it. Playing games to help them achieve success in school will help everyone see the positive effects at home.

To implement impromptu play, offer three dice to each person playing. Everyone rolls their dice and adds up the total. Continue this for 15 rounds and see who can come closest to a score of 100. Find more ideas at the end of this article and by selecting fun games from the 12 Minute Games line available at stores like Meijer, Wal-Mart and Target.

As previously stated, families can use the outdoors as a playground, and as a way to help eliminate negativity associated with learning. By believing learning is fun, children may embrace it instead of snubbing it. Learning does not need to be boring, scary or unpleasant.

How families incorporate time and learning to develop rituals is explained in the following paragraphs. Each family must decide for themselves what works and what needs tweaking. The following is

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