It started when I first met him.  He is now my stepson, but, at the beginning, I had to have a 'first date' with him.  It was very strange.  I was more nervous about that meeting than I was on my first date with his mother.  In fact, I can't think of anything scarier than a 'first date' with a three year old.  At first he wouldn't talk and was very shy.  I remember the one thing that broke the ice:  I was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car and he was in his car seat in the back on the same side as me.  A large flatbed semi-trailer pulled up next us.  I showed him the drive shaft, how it worked, and what it did.  We were on our way. 

I had discovered that the way to a child's heart is through his brain.  Children love to learn.  They are insatiable about it.  When a child asks you "How does this...", "Why does that...", it's not that he is just trying to get your attention or bother you.  The child is truly curious about whatever they are asking about.  They really want to know.

It is now a game between Kyle and I.  We have word games, math games, and memory games.  These games are important for him because the more he learns now the better.  They are important for me too, as I get that smile that tells me he gets it.  Every night, the last thing we do is learn two words.  It may be the same words as the night before or two completely new words.  If he gets a word right, it doesn't count against his total.  That way I get to reinforce the words we have learned earlier and introduce new words once he has absorbed previous words.

While we are out shopping he gets points for finding objects or spelling things correctly.  The catch is he has to total his own points.  If he miscounts I may help him, but it is his responsibility to keep track.

Think about that for a second... he thinks learning is a game.  If that isn't the best preparation for school, I don't know what would be better.

These games have been some of the most important times in our relationship.  It's always tough to build a stepparent relationship.  I moved into his city, into his house, and took up some of his mother's time.  Things weren't easy at times, but they got better.  Learning was a large part of the reason that things improved so fast and it continues to be an important part of our relationship.  

Take the time to teach your children, not only for them, but also for yourself.  The joy felt as a child grows is unapproachable by almost any other.  If they start asking questions - give them answers.  If they start asking questions you don’t know - look it up.  If they stop asking you questions - ask them why.  You as, as a parent, are their most valuable resource.