Teachers and other adults often have good relationships with preteens. Those that have these types of relationship end up being mentors and guides to go to when your preteen gets lost. Again, it is up to parents to ensure that these preteen relationships are on up and up and that they are founded in trust and positive reinforcement. Relationships like these propel future relationships as well.

There are other preteen relationships that are important as well. You can fill them in. As you see, though, these preteen relationships are guides and stepping stones into future relationships your preteen will have. These relationships are learning blocks.

S A Baker is staff writer at http://www.datingadvice4dummys.com

Puppets

Make puppets out of socks, paper bags, felt, cloth, or popsicle sticks. Make a stage and tell stories. Get out video camera and capture your child's brilliance!

Musical Instruments

Whether your musical instruments are home-made with a comb and wax paper or store bought, making music is a wonderful way to spend day. Teach your child that music can be made from anything, from an old oatmeal container, to scratching two pieces of sandpaper together. Go on a walk and just listen to sounds of world -- music is everywhere in our lives.

Dress-up Clothes

Get out old prom dresses, big hats, shirts and ties, old Halloween costumes (or buy extra pieces after Halloween for year-round fun!). Bring out a box of costumes and watch shows with your children as stars. Keep a camera handy to capture fun. Also, keep an eye on pets. Cats don't always appreciate wearing a sombrero. Trust me, I have scars to prove it!

Doll-houses

There is nothing more fun than watching your child make up stories as family members move around in a doll house. Plus, if it is a wooden dollhouse, there is added benefit of decorating it with some wallpaper scraps and carpet remnants! Your dollhouse could be a family heirloom if you put enough love into it.

In Kitchen

Kids love to play Kitchen, whether it is mixing air, or getting to play with food. Give your child a great time by giving them safe kitchen utensils to play with in bathtub. Mixing, pouring, and scooping bubbles and water entertains my children long enough for them to look pruny. Or for a fun alternative, give them puffed rice cereal and some bowls and utensils on kitchen floor. Just plan to vacuum afterwards as there'll be quite a wonderful mess!