The other day as I was out running errands I picked up the sweet fragrance of a Honey Suckle, and colors of yellow and white. Immediately, I recalled daydreaming as a child about the fun times of summer approaching.

So many memories hit my mind of my childhood in the summer. My swimming pool was a big aluminum pan filled with cold spring water from the well.

My brothers and cousins looked forward to taking our afternoon dip during those hot summers to cool off. As a child, supper served as a picnic was tops!

Looking at the corn stalks swaying in hot summer breeze, as well as listening to the crickets chirping, the birds chirping to greet the day and meeting the evening dusk just put a big old bow on a good summer day.

Children savor the simple things of life. Pointing out these seasonal changes to your young child is something they will hold in their memory boxes as well. Every third Sunday in June I knew would be a time I would be secretly preparing a handmade gift for Father's Day.

Young children love their dads or who they identify as their dad.

Whether it be a grandfather, friend, guardian, or godparent serving as their dad, the roles that dads play in a young child's life are so important. What a privilege it is in a man's life to be called dad.

Fathers are made to be participants in their children's lives, usually they are the ones who solve the problems, they guide their families, provide and prepare their children in ways that only a father can do.

When I do family activities with the young children I teach and their families, my fathers help me in planning and doing a lot of the physical games, as well as being jungle gyms or ball players in showing love to their children and grandchildren.

Young children love to be pushed on a swing, hugged and loved by their dads. I really depend on my dads and grandfathers each week to help me play with the children, which is truly a young child's work and is necessary in a child's growth and development.

A quick family picnic can be put in the schedule of summer time, as well as a Father's Day celebration within a few weeks — June 15 to be exact.

Why not let this be a simple child, family created present to your fathers and grandfathers or whoever you call dad.

A picnic is not hard to plan as you try to keep the family together during these busy times and special times of the year such as Father's Day.

The environment of the Eastern Shore offers a perfect scene for a quick or prolonged family picnic whatever fits your schedule.

Picnics too, can take on the form of an inexpensive family activity that is carefully planned out.

The youngest of children to your older children enjoy the planning, the outdoors and delicious foods of a picnic. Whether there are just two family members or more, take the time with your child to enjoy a special togetherness time that a picnic offers.

Even your infants and toddlers can be a part of the meal planning process. It's best to keep the meal simple and tasty that both children and adults.

Language and thinking skill can be developed and encouraged when planning a family picnic. Making a list of foods that they would like to take on their picnic can be a part of a language arts lesson.

Letting them see the list as you go over the different foods they want to bring can encourage reading readiness in your young preschooler.

Picnic baskets, whatever form or size, are not that expensive. Picnic baskets can be made from brown paper bags, vegetable baskets, and even actual picnic baskets can be purchased very inexpensively.

Ask your child what is needed in the picnic basket. Guide them to respond to the simple necessities of plates, cups, utensils, napkins and wipes to clean hands.

Let your young child count out the necessities that are needed for your family and friends; this is a math lesson.

Have your youngest child place the items in the picnic basket. This teaches that young preschooler about sorting or even patterning. Be sure to grab a quilt or blanket for your infant to crawl on, bring the stroller as well.

When you get to your picnic destination let your young child set the table. This covers the math skills of one-to-one correspondence and patterning. “Can You Remember” game is an excellent memory and comprehension exercise.

You put a tablecloth, blanket or towel in the middle of an area. Put several items under the cover that you bring on the picnic. Let the children see the full group of items.

Have your child or children close their eyes as you remove some of the items. Lift the tablecloth and have the children guess what you have removed. Young children love this game!

Even though I know a lot of cards, possibly clothes and tools are given to fathers on Father's Day, having your little one perform at the picnic a song. It verbally expresses how much they love their dads.

I know many grandfathers, as well as dads may be away this coming Father's Day.

Young children just love to talk on the phone. Make a special celebration call with your child to that person you call dad. It's my hope that this simple article gives you some ideas of celebrating family times during the summer as well as Father's Day.

Here's a simple little rhyme that I know all children will be doing on this Father's Day.

“Here comes a Hug”

Author Unknown

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, “I love you so”,

Or, “I really hate to see you go.”

A hug can soothe a small child's pain, And bring a rainbow after the rain.

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers, Sweet for sisters and brothers;

No need to fret about your store of 'em;

The more you give, the more there's more of 'em.

So stretch those arms without delay

And give that Father a hug today!

Beth Pinyerd serves as director of Young Children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort, Ala.