Prepare My Baby Toddler For College

Prepare My
Baby/Toddler for
College
Compiled by:
Table of Contents
Prepare My Infant for College, Month by Month
Prepare My Baby for College, Month by Month
Prepare My Two Year Old for College, Month by Month
Read My Baby/Toddler into College
Play My Baby/Toddler into College
Create a Collegegoing Culture in the Nursery
Choose a Taxfree College Savings Account
Set Aside Twentyfive Dollars a Month for College
Know How Much to Save for College
Choose Smarter Baby Toys and Toddler Games
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
Am I Setting the Groundwork for College with My Baby/Toddler?
Prepare My Baby/Toddler for College
2 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
Do I need this EduGuide?
Prepare My Baby/Toddler for College
Do I need this EduGuide?
Yes, if your hopes and dreams for your child include a college education. This Guide contains information about setting aside savings
for college, creating a collegefriendly atmosphere at home, playing with your baby and toddler in brainboosting ways, and much
more.
How does it work?
l Quizzes help you know where you stand.
l Articles give you the background information you need to make a decision.
l ShortCuts help you take immediate action. Choose one or go through them all.
What will I learn?
l How to pay for college—and how to get started
l How to create a collegegoing culture so it’s a given that your child will attend college
l How to play with your baby in braintraining ways
l How to read the best baby books aloud to even the squirmiest baby or toddler
l How to choose the best toys and activities to boost brainpower as babies age
Quick Solutions
l What can I do in 15 minutes? Take the “Am I Setting the Groundwork for College with My Baby/Toddler? ” quiz and decide on a
few goals to set. Or designate a cozy corner for baby and toddler reading.
l What can I do in one hour? Read “Prepare My Infant for College, Month by Month,” then print it and post it in the nursery to keep
track of your progress. Or call the bank to find out how you can set up an automatic monthly savings plan.
l What can I do in a day? Research the various savings plans to decide which one is best for you. Or take your family and a
picnic lunch to a nearby college campus.
Baby Teaching Opportunities Occur at Every Stage
The way you play with your baby, from the time you bring him home until he starts toddling across the room, helps establish lifelong
patterns of thinking. Here are some monthbymonth ideas for making the most of that time.
l One month: Talk to your baby. Babies understand language long before they can speak, so it’s important to talk to your baby
even though she is not yet ready to answer. For example, talk your way through each diaper change to let her know what you’re
doing and why. Your newborn is happy to hear about every little chore because your voice is music to her ears. Though it
picnic lunch to a nearby college campus.
Baby Teaching Opportunities Occur at Every Stage
The way you play with your baby, from the time you bring him home until he starts toddling across the room, helps establish lifelong
patterns of thinking. Here are some monthbymonth ideas for making the most of that time.
l One month: Talk to your baby. Babies understand language long before they can speak, so it’s important to talk to your baby
even though she is not yet ready to answer. For example, talk your way through each diaper change to let her know what you’re
doing and why. Your newborn is happy to hear about every little chore because your voice is music to her ears. Though it
sounds simple, talking to your infant is one of the best ways of building brain power, according to this article in the New York
Times, "From Birth, Engage Your Child with Talk."
l Two months: Read to your baby. It’s never too early to turn babies into bookworms. The best baby books feature brightly
colored pictures with rhyming, melodic phrasing on sturdy board pages.
l Three months: When you ask your baby a question, pause for the answer. Respond to his babbles as if he’s actually spoken
words. This gives him confidence that he is important to you.
l Four months: Once your baby can support herself on her elbows, include tummy time in each day’s babies activities. Spread
out a soft blanket on the floor and surround her with safe funtotouch toys in contrasting colors. Add an unbreakable mirror to
the mix; babies love checking themselves out.
l Five months: Play pickitup. When your baby sits in his highchair, allow him to toss his sippy cup over the side. Pick it up and
laugh with him when he drops it again. This helps him explore gravity and causeandeffect.
l Six months: Now that she’s sitting up to play, give her musical toys to experiment with sound. And be sure to sing to her.
l Seven months: Does someone in your household or extended family speak a foreign language? Teach your child your child
those words right alongside English.
l Eight months: Crawlers love to explore. Indulge this passion by stocking a low kitchen cupboard with safe items such as
stainless steel bowls, plastic lids and chunky wooden spoons.
l Nine months: Roll a ball back and forth, stack blocks and make them fall—anything active is perfect for this age.
l Ten months: As she begins to talk, if your child says “baw” instead of “ball,” repeat the proper pronunciation back to her. Don’t
scold her, but do say the word correctly yourself, and fight the urge to join her in baby talk.
l Eleven months: Play peekaboo to help teach your child about object permanence—something doesn’t disappear just
because it’s covered up.
l Twelve months: Load up your baby’s bookcase with plenty of board books featuring bright pictures and simple text. Nab them
cheap at garage sales, trade with friends, or borrow them from the library.
Finding Playful Teaching Opportunities
Child development research shows that during the first three years of life, our mental abilities increase by leaps and bounds. Here are
some monthbymonth ideas for making the most of your play time with your toddler.
l Thirteen months: Encourage talking by naming items aloud as you go about your day: “Look at the red sign. It’s telling me to
stop. See the big, blue truck go by? There’s your brother’s school!” When baby joins you, show you’re interested in what he has
to say by repeating his words back to him. Though it sounds simple, talking to your baby is one of the best ways of building
cheap at garage sales, trade with friends, or borrow them from the library.
Finding Playful Teaching Opportunities
l Thirteen months: Encourage talking by naming items aloud as you go about your day: “Look at the red sign. It’s telling me to
stop. See the big, blue truck go by? There’s your brother’s school!” When baby joins you, show you’re interested in what he has
to say by repeating his words back to him. Though it sounds simple, talking to your baby is one of the best ways of building
brain power, according to this article in the New York Times, "From Birth, Engage Your Child with Talk"
l Fourteen months: Provide your child with a set of chunky crayons and plenty of scrap paper for coloring and scribbling.
l Fifteen months: Make the transition from cutesy baby talk to proper names. For example, stop calling them piggies and start
calling them toes.
l Sixteen months: Help your child work on finemotor skills by providing “manipulative” toys such as shape sorters, blocks,
wooden puzzles, connecting beads, and other baby activities.
l Seventeen months: Turn the tub into a science lab. Experiment with bubbles and without, and work together to see what items
float and which ones don’t.
l Eighteen months: Check out your library—many offer toddler story time once a week, with the best baby books, games, songs
and socialization, all for free.
l Nineteen months: Write out simple paper labels for items such as “door,” “lamp,” and “window,” and post them around your
child’s room to encourage reading.
l Twenty months: Review your child’s library, adding traditional books to the board versions. Make it a habit to visit the library
once a week to borrow new ones.
l Twentyone months: Play makebelieve with your child, and make sure she has plenty of props such as dressup clothes,
telephones and kitchen utensils.
l Twentytwo months: Play quality kid music to get your child moving—and learn ABC and 123 concepts along the way.
Borrow CDs from friends, look for used albums at garage sales, or check them out at the library.
l Twentythree months: Arrange play dates with friends, both at home and at the other child’s house, so you toddler can learn to
share, cooperate, and get along with nonfamily members.
l Twentyfour months: Start shopping for preschools to find the best fit for you and your child. Get background information
through the EduGuide article “Your Child’s Ready for Preschool: Choose One That’s Right for Your Family."
l Twentyfive months: A major accomplishment between ages two and three is learning to draw and write letters. Provide plenty
of pencils, crayons and washable markers and lots of scrap paper, including mininotebooks for your little one to take and use
on the go.
l Twentysix months: Help your child embrace numbers through counting games and toys. One idea for toddler activities: Give
her a muffin tin and a selection of small food items such as Cheerios, raisins and pretzel sticks. Suggest ways to sort (one of
each item per cup) and then watch as she comes up with sorting solutions on her own.
through the EduGuide article “Your Child’s Ready for Preschool: Choose One That’s Right for Your Family."
l Twentyfive months: A major accomplishment between ages two and three is learning to draw and write letters. Provide plenty
of pencils, crayons and washable markers and lots of scrap paper, including mininotebooks for your little one to take and use
on the go.
l Twentysix months: Help your child embrace numbers through counting games and toys. One idea for toddler activities: Give
her a muffin tin and a selection of small food items such as Cheerios, raisins and pretzel sticks. Suggest ways to sort (one of
each item per cup) and then watch as she comes up with sorting solutions on her own.
l Twentyseven months: Your little one wants to be just like you. Make sure she has plenty of grownup materials for make
believe, including job props and dolls for playing house.
l Twentyeight months: Offering choices will teach your child how to make decisions, but set limits to avoid overwhelming.
Instead of saying, “Which shirt do you want to wear today?” ask, “Would you prefer the blue or green shirt?” And instead of
saying, “What do you want for lunch?” say, “Would you like a peanut butter sandwich or macaroni and cheese?”
l Twentynine months: Pay close attention to your child’s language development. If he’s not using three to sixword sentences
with a vocabulary of around 50 words, you might check in with your pediatrician to make sure everything’s on track.
l Thirty months: Keep reading aloud to your child once a day, even if she spends time on her own sitting quietly with books for
toddlers. Hearing you speak the words on the page is crucial to her learning to read on her own one day.
l Thirtyone months: Play board games such as Chutes and Ladders and card games such as Concentration. Ageappropriate
games teach colors, counting, memory skills, turntaking, and good sportsmanship—so don’t let your child win every time!
l Thirtytwo months: Push the limits. Your child will surprise you by how ready he is to learn. If he can count by 1s, teach him to
count by 2s, and then by 5s. Counting in the car is a great way to pass the time on commutes and long trips—count stop signs,
billboards, and so on.
l Thirtythree months: Finemotor skills will be important for cutting and writing activities in preschool. Lay the groundwork with
finger paints and Playdoh. Both can be homemade—check out EduGuide’s recipes for these and other tactile supplies.
l Thirtyfour months: Give your child a pair of blunttipped scissors and your supervision. Start with thicker paper such as a
manila folder, and draw fat, straight lines for him to cut through. Cutting is a neardaily preschool activity and offers great hand
eye coordination training.
l Thirtyfive months: Reevaluate your child’s library, adding nonfiction titles alongside the picture books. Choose topics that
interest your child, such as trains or animals. Don’t toss the easier books with fewer words; these will likely be the first books
your child “reads” on his own, even if he’s just repeating text he memorized after hearing it so many times.
l Thirtysix months: Start preschool with a positive attitude. This is the official beginning of your child’s formal education. Send
her off with confidence, knowing that she’s been learning with you all along.
For Your Collegebound Baby, Teaching Starts with Books
Reading to your child fosters a close, loving relationship between the two of you that will one day give him the confidence to soar off to
college. Learning to read—which begins with ABCs in preschool and really gets going in kindergarten—is easier when the child
6 comes to it with a love for books. Here’s how to get started:
ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
her off with confidence, knowing that she’s been learning with you all along.
For Your Collegebound Baby, Teaching Starts with Books
Reading to your child fosters a close, loving relationship between the two of you that will one day give him the confidence to soar off to
college. Learning to read—which begins with ABCs in preschool and really gets going in kindergarten—is easier when the child
comes to it with a love for books. Here’s how to get started:
l Begin reading books to your baby even before he can walk and talk. The best baby books feature bright pictures and simple
text.
l Read to your baby as often as you think of it. Make it part of your daily routine—before naps and bedtime are easy times to fit
in a story or two. This offers the bonus result of calming your baby.
l Choose comfortable reading spots. Find several places in your home that will make baby and toddler reading a pleasure.
Make sure each spot has: a cozy seat that fits the two of you; good lighting; a stash of favorite books, a soft blanket and a
stuffed animal for snuggling.
l For very young babies, choose short books with big, colorful pictures. This is not the time for the elaborate plots of some
popular children’s books—your baby won’t sit still past page two. Instead, choose books with one or two short sentences per
page—try toddlers books or funny bedtime stories.
l Later, books that are lyrical, such as nursery rhymes. Youngreader selections by Dr. Seuss, will captivate children with their
rhythm, helping develop a love of language.
l Make reading interactive. As you go through the book, point out pictures of interest. “See the cat, Jimmy?” Also, take time to
get a response from your listener: “Look at the foot, Sarah. Where is your foot? Can you touch your foot? Here is Sarah’s foot.
Tickle, tickle!”
l You don ’t always have to read a long book word for word. Instead, skip pages and paraphrase the story. Gradually start
sticking to the book as written—especially once your child points out, “Mommy, you missed a page!”
l Know when to stop. When your little one gets restless and asks to be put down, close the book. Make reading fun, not a chore.
Source: Lynn Dean

Family Ideas Promote Fun Learning and College Prep
Who would think you could play your way into college? Anyone who studies toddler and baby brain development, that’s who.
If you wish to give your child a jump start on college, be sure you are including the following in your play:
l Interaction. Consistent longterm attention increases your child’s confidence and capacity to learn.
l Touch. Holding and cuddling stimulates brain growth. Babies who are gently massaged three times a day gain more weight,
are more alert, and cry less than babies who aren’t.
l Talk. Talking builds verbal skills needed to succeed in school. Infants whose parents talk to them more frequently and use
bigger “adult” words will develop better language skills. Talk to your little one with a kind voice, a wide range of vocabulary, and
a lot of expression.
Source: Lynn Dean

Family Ideas Promote Fun Learning and College Prep
Who would think you could play your way into college? Anyone who studies toddler and baby brain development, that’s who.
If you wish to give your child a jump start on college, be sure you are including the following in your play:
l Interaction. Consistent longterm attention increases your child’s confidence and capacity to learn.
l Touch. Holding and cuddling stimulates brain growth. Babies who are gently massaged three times a day gain more weight,
are more alert, and cry less than babies who aren’t.
l Talk. Talking builds verbal skills needed to succeed in school. Infants whose parents talk to them more frequently and use
bigger “adult” words will develop better language skills. Talk to your little one with a kind voice, a wide range of vocabulary, and
a lot of expression.
l Music. Early music experiences help develop math skills. Although all kinds of music can help to stimulate the brain, loud
noises can be harmful so keep the volume low.
l Books. Reading the best baby books not only stimulates brain activity, but also creates a lifelong love of books. (See the “Read
My Baby/Toddler Into College” ShortCut.)
Make the most of your toddlers’ activities and increased mobility by including:
l Make Believe. Dressing up and playing makebelieve helps nurture kid creativity.
l Art. Use crayons, washable markers, finger paints, and paper to get those creative juices flowing. When they’re done with time,
say, “Tell me about your picture.” Hang toddler crafts on your refrigerator at the artist’s eye level.
l Play Dates. Work on peopleskills by inviting playmates to your home. To keep the peace, remember that toddlers appreciate
multiples of the same toy and play best when there’s plenty of supervision.
l Obstacle Courses. Place large empty boxes on the floor for your child to crawl in, on, and through. Tables, chairs, stools,
pillows, laundry baskets and more can be incorporated to build motor skills, logic, and imagination.
l Move to Music. Create your own instruments out of empty oatmeal boxes, coffee cans, pots and spoons, pan lids, and craft
materials. Making music is a melodic way to stimulate brain development and future math skills.
The following are suggestions for ageappropriate braintraining toys:
l Zero to Three Months: Soft blocks, books with colorful pictures, mobiles, unbreakable mirrors, hand puppets animated by a
caregiver
l Six to Twelve Months: Stackable cups, easy shape sorters, simple knob puzzles, shakers, lullaby CDs
l One year old: Stacking toys, containers for filling and dumping, activity boxes, texture books like Pat the Bunny, simple dolls,
play dishes, musical toys
l Two years old: Shape sorters, interlocking rings, nesting toys, knob puzzles, simple board games such as Candy Land,
picture books, dressup materials, blunt scissors and paper, music CDs
l Three years old: Magnetic boards with letters and numbers, lacing cards, sorting games, building blocks, realistic dolls,
kitchen utensils, hand puppets, craft materials, plastic animals, dollhouse sets, musical instruments.
Sources: Barbara L. Cairns, Brenda Nixon, West Bloomfield Township (Michigan) Public Library


Sources: Barbara L. Cairns, Brenda Nixon, West Bloomfield Township (Michigan) Public Library

Create a Collegegoing Culture in the Nursery
High Expectations Help Babies/Toddlers Achieve Dreams
Children raised in households where attending college is the expectation (though not necessarily the tradition) have a much better
chance of going themselves. Here are some family ideas to plan for college as babies age:
l Talk about where, not if, your child will go to college. Sing “The Victors” to your baby while you bounce her on your knee (or
preferably in utero)—babies know a great college fight song when they hear it. If Daddy went to MSU or Notre Dame, you can
give him equal time (especially if he’s tone deaf).
l Take a picnic to a college campus. After you eat, wander around, admire the buildings, and talk about the learning that
happens inside.
l Talk about goals and ways to achieve dreams. If your toddler says he wants to be a teacher, explain that he’ll need a college
degree first, and mention a few universities that specialize in elementary education.
l Be a superfan. Hang your favorite school’s flag from your porch on game days, and wear clothing that shows your spirit. Even
though she doesn’t know what NMU stands for, she’ll grow up knowing that Wildcats are proud of their school, for example.
l Use outside experiences. Use your dog’s checkup as a chance to talk about what a veterinarian does. Expand the
conversation to include what other types of doctors do in their jobs. Point out framed diplomas hanging on their office walls.
l If you attended college, tell stories about your time there and be sure to include some pictures. The older they get, the more
kids get a kick out of seeing “mommy and daddy” looking dorky in their outofstyle clothes.
Sources:
http://collegetools.berkeley.edu/
www.colorincolorado.org

The Pros and Cons of Five Popular Options
Eduguide Staff
Even if your child will not be college age for quite a few years, it’s never too early to begin saving money for college. Here are five
different, inexpensive ways to start a taxfree college savings account. In order to pick the one that’s right for you, weigh the pros and
cons of each. But in the end, any savings program is better than none.
529 Savings Plans
Pick the state that has the best plan for you. Choosing your home state’s plan can result in tax and other benefits. In Michigan,
EduGuide’s home state, families can begin with as little as twentyfive dollars in the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).
(See related ShortCut: “Set Aside Twentyfive Dollars a Month for College: Without Raiding the Sofa Cushions.”)
9 Pro: Contributions are eligible for state tax deductions. In Michigan, it’s a $10,000 tax deduction ($5,000 for single filers). You can use
529 funds at any accredited postsecondary college in the United States and at many schools abroad.
http://collegetools.berkeley.edu/
www.colorincolorado.org

The Pros and Cons of Five Popular Options
Eduguide Staff
Even if your child will not be college age for quite a few years, it’s never too early to begin saving money for college. Here are five
different, inexpensive ways to start a taxfree college savings account. In order to pick the one that’s right for you, weigh the pros and
cons of each. But in the end, any savings program is better than none.
529 Savings Plans
Pick the state that has the best plan for you. Choosing your home state’s plan can result in tax and other benefits. In Michigan,
EduGuide’s home state, families can begin with as little as twentyfive dollars in the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).
(See related ShortCut: “Set Aside Twentyfive Dollars a Month for College: Without Raiding the Sofa Cushions.”)
Pro: Contributions are eligible for state tax deductions. In Michigan, it’s a $10,000 tax deduction ($5,000 for single filers). You can use
529 funds at any accredited postsecondary college in the United States and at many schools abroad.
Con: The plan’s taxfree status is up for renewal by Congress in 2010. The account value may fluctuate depending on investment
options.
529 Prepaid Plans
Pay tuition now and lock in today’s rates. Most states have prepaid plans. Example: with the Florida Prepaid College Plan, you can buy
your fiveyearold two years of tuition at community college (a lump sum of $4,193) with $37.14 paid every month until your child starts
college. The same two years of college thirteen years from now when your child starts college could be nearly $10,000. By prepaying
and locking in today’s rate, you could save $5,900. If you didn’t lock in today’s tuition rate with a prepaid plan, you’d need to save
seventyseven dollars each month to pay for the same two years of college.
Pro: Guarantees against rising tuition costs. Monthly payment contract will motivate you to save. Can be used to pay for tuition at out
ofstate and private colleges. Some states offer tax benefits associated with these plans.
Con: State residency requirements. Some plans have restrictions on transfers to another child. The money is tied up until the child
starts college.
Education Savings Account
Open an account with any bank, broker, or mutual fund—much like retirement savings.
Pro: Can be used for college or any educational expenses K12—including books, private school tuition, computers, and tutors. Lets
you pick your own investments.
Con: Limited to $2,000/year per child. Tax benefits for some plans phase out for some families making more than $95,000. May tempt
you to spend before your child’s college years.
Cash Back
Buy selected goods with a registered credit card and get one to ten percent cash back for a college savings account. Upromise,
EdExpress.com, Babymint.com and MBNA Fidelity credit cards offer such programs.
Pro: Save while you spend. Average annual savings range from fifty to five hundred dollars. Registered friends can direct their
earnings to your account.
Con: Limited dollar value. Fewer investment options. May tempt you to chase rebates and eat up savings you could put into your child’s
account.
10Roth and Traditional IRAs
earnings to your account.
Con: Limited dollar value. Fewer investment options. May tempt you to chase rebates and eat up savings you could put into your child’s
account.
Roth and Traditional IRAs
Tax laws now let you take money from these retirement accounts to pay for college without penalty. You can open IRA accounts at any
bank or investment agency.
Pro: Some experts recommend saving for retirement or a home before saving for college. This option allows you to save for both and
choose how to spend later. You can pick your own investments.
Con: Limited to $5,000 a year per person if you are fortynine or younger in 2008. Some restrictions apply. May confuse your retirement
planning; your retirement fund may not attract contributions from family members.
Without Raiding the Sofa Cushions
Though it is hard to predict exactly what the cost of your child’s college education will be, you can commit now to saving something—
anything—to help pay for it. The key is to make a plan and stick with it. Even the most modest amount of money saved regularly and
consistently can grow into an important source of financial aid for school. Plus, setting up a college saving program shows your child
that you expect him or her to go to college and that you believe college student financial aid is a goal worth working toward.
Why twentyfive dollars? Many 529 college savings plans allow people to begin investing with only twentyfive dollars a month, so
that’s a good starting place. Where will that twentyfive dollars come from? Here are some ideas.
Change You Can Believe In
Start a coin jar and ask everyone in the family to empty their pockets and/or coin purses into it at the end of the day (twentyfive dollars
a month is about eightythree cents a day). One way to make sure you will have coins to contribute is always pay with paper money
and never use change. That way you will get change back from every transaction.
Bank on Coupon Savings
When you use coupons to reduce your grocery bill, don’t just congratulate yourself on the money you saved. Take that amount (it’s
usually listed at the end of the grocery bill) and put it aside. Coupon money will add up quickly.
Create a Game
As a family, come up with ideas for making saving fun. For instance, every time a letter from a college arrives, toss a dollar into the
kitty. When the college is on your child’s dream list, increase the amount to five dollars. When your child brings home good grades on
a report card, don’t pay him or her for every A or B. Pay the college fund instead.
Skip the Vending Machines
If you typically hit the vending machine for an afternoon soda or candy bar, start bringing those treats from home. Vending machine soft
drinks can cost a dollar or more; a twelvepack of soda for four dollars works out to thirtythree cents a can. Ditto for candy bars, chips,
and cookies. Pack your own and earmark the savings for college.
Rethink Your Lunch Plans
If you eat lunch out every day, cut back even one day to save an average of seven dollars a week. When you do eat out, order water
11instead of soda. You’ll save nearly two dollars.
planning; your retirement fund may not attract contributions from family members.
Without Raiding the Sofa Cushions
Though it is hard to predict exactly what the cost of your child’s college education will be, you can commit now to saving something—
anything—to help pay for it. The key is to make a plan and stick with it. Even the most modest amount of money saved regularly and
consistently can grow into an important source of financial aid for school. Plus, setting up a college saving program shows your child
that you expect him or her to go to college and that you believe college student financial aid is a goal worth working toward.
Why twentyfive dollars? Many 529 college savings plans allow people to begin investing with only twentyfive dollars a month, so
that’s a good starting place. Where will that twentyfive dollars come from? Here are some ideas.
Change You Can Believe In
Start a coin jar and ask everyone in the family to empty their pockets and/or coin purses into it at the end of the day (twentyfive dollars
a month is about eightythree cents a day). One way to make sure you will have coins to contribute is always pay with paper money
and never use change. That way you will get change back from every transaction.
Bank on Coupon Savings
When you use coupons to reduce your grocery bill, don’t just congratulate yourself on the money you saved. Take that amount (it’s
usually listed at the end of the grocery bill) and put it aside. Coupon money will add up quickly.
Create a Game
As a family, come up with ideas for making saving fun. For instance, every time a letter from a college arrives, toss a dollar into the
kitty. When the college is on your child’s dream list, increase the amount to five dollars. When your child brings home good grades on
a report card, don’t pay him or her for every A or B. Pay the college fund instead.
Skip the Vending Machines
If you typically hit the vending machine for an afternoon soda or candy bar, start bringing those treats from home. Vending machine soft
drinks can cost a dollar or more; a twelvepack of soda for four dollars works out to thirtythree cents a can. Ditto for candy bars, chips,
and cookies. Pack your own and earmark the savings for college.
Rethink Your Lunch Plans
If you eat lunch out every day, cut back even one day to save an average of seven dollars a week. When you do eat out, order water
instead of soda. You’ll save nearly two dollars.
Get to Know Your Library
Libraries have more than books. You can borrow videos, DVDs, even video games for a lot less money than you’d spend at the corner
video store. Most libraries also carry magazines; if they carry your favorite, you can cancel your subscription and send that money to the
college fund.
Review Your Bills
Are you paying for things you don’t use? Do you need call waiting and caller ID on your phone? Do you need your phone? (Many
people are giving up their land lines and making their cell phone their main line.) Are you paying for premium cable channels that you
never watch? Will bundling your phone and Internet cost you less than paying for them separately? Is your cell phone plan the most
college fund.
Review Your Bills
Are you paying for things you don’t use? Do you need call waiting and caller ID on your phone? Do you need your phone? (Many
people are giving up their land lines and making their cell phone their main line.) Are you paying for premium cable channels that you
never watch? Will bundling your phone and Internet cost you less than paying for them separately? Is your cell phone plan the most
cost effective choice for your family? Can you read the daily newspaper online instead of paying for a subscription? Take the time to
ask questions like these, and crunch the numbers to discover where a few extras dollars may be hiding each month.
Beat the Budget
If you budgeted one hundred fifty dollars for groceries and you spent only one hundred fortysix, put that four dollar savings into the
college fund. If you figured it would take forty dollars to fill up the car and it only took thirtythree dollars, put that seven dollars in the
college fund.
Share Your Good Fortune
When you receive unexpected money, such as a rebate, refund, or bonus, split it between yourself and the college fund. Encourage
your child to do the same with birthday and holiday money.
For more moneysaving ideas, sign up for Michele Singletary’s weekly personal finance enewsletter.
Do an online search for “money saving tips” and explore Web sites like these:
The Simple Dollar
The Dollar Stretcher
Better Budgeting
MoneySaving Mom
Use a College Savings Calculator
If you’re not sure what kind of financial goals to set to fund your child’s college education, a college saving calculator, such as this one
on the TIAACREF Web site, can help as you think about saving money for college.
Information You’ll Need before You Start
l Cost of tuition for one year of college today: If you’re not sure where your child might go to school, simply pick a public four
year college in your state and check its Web site for its annual tuition.
l Tuition inflation rate: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent. Depending on the school, the area of the country, and
the current economy, this figure could be between two and eight percent.
l Years to save before college: Assume your child will start college at eighteen, and subtract his or her current age to arrive at
this number.
l Initial savings: the amount of money you already have set aside for college
l Contribution amount: If you have a dollar amount you’d like to contribute monthly, put it in here. You can change the amount to
see how the totals change on the calculator.
l Assumed rate of return: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent.
What the Calculator Will Tell You
l What four years of college will cost by the time your child attends
l How much money your savings plan will have earned by that time
l Your savings shortfall
MoneySaving Mom
Use a College Savings Calculator
If you’re not sure what kind of financial goals to set to fund your child’s college education, a college saving calculator, such as this one
on the TIAACREF Web site, can help as you think about saving money for college.
Information You’ll Need before You Start
l Cost of tuition for one year of college today: If you’re not sure where your child might go to school, simply pick a public four
year college in your state and check its Web site for its annual tuition.
l Tuition inflation rate: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent. Depending on the school, the area of the country, and
the current economy, this figure could be between two and eight percent.
l Years to save before college: Assume your child will start college at eighteen, and subtract his or her current age to arrive at
this number.
l Initial savings: the amount of money you already have set aside for college
l Contribution amount: If you have a dollar amount you’d like to contribute monthly, put it in here. You can change the amount to
see how the totals change on the calculator.
l Assumed rate of return: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent.
What the Calculator Will Tell You
l What four years of college will cost by the time your child attends
l How much money your savings plan will have earned by that time
l Your savings shortfall
l What you would need to do to make up the difference, either as a lump sum, additional monthly contributions, or additional
yearly contributions
Keep in mind that most students do not pay full price for college (see “The Real Cost of College”). Note: This exercise focuses on
tuition only. College costs usually include room and board, books, and other costs.
Putting It All Together: Three Examples
1. Aaron and Julie have a new daughter, Alicia. They want to open a 529 college savings plan for her with the hope that she will attend
Big State University in eighteen years. They already have five hundred dollars to open up an account. They are not sure how much to
invest monthly, but think that fifty dollars a month sounds reasonable. Let’s see:
l Today’s tuition at Big State U: $9,000
l Tuition inflation rate: 6 percent
l Years to save before college: 18
l Initial savings: $500
l Monthly contributions: $50
l Rate of return: 6 percent
According to the calculator, in eighteen years, four years at Big State University will cost $112,380, or about $25,689 per year. Aaron
and Julie’s 529 Plan will have $20,567, not quite enough to cover one year’s tuition. If they set their monthly contributions at $100 per
month, they will have $40,550, enough to cover all of Alicia’s first year of school and $14,800 of her second year. To fully fund Alicia’s
college tuition, they would need to set aside $265 per month.
2. Phil and LaDonna have a tenyearold son, Ty. They haven't really thought much about college, but now that Ty is approaching
middle school, they think they should invest something toward his college education. They plan to start with the thousand dollars they
received as a federal tax refund, and then deposit one hundred fifty dollars a month in a 529 plan. Will that work? Here’s how the
numbers work out:
and Julie’s 529 Plan will have $20,567, not quite enough to cover one year’s tuition. If they set their monthly contributions at $100 per
month, they will have $40,550, enough to cover all of Alicia’s first year of school and $14,800 of her second year. To fully fund Alicia’s
college tuition, they would need to set aside $265 per month.
2. Phil and LaDonna have a tenyearold son, Ty. They haven't really thought much about college, but now that Ty is approaching
middle school, they think they should invest something toward his college education. They plan to start with the thousand dollars they
received as a federal tax refund, and then deposit one hundred fifty dollars a month in a 529 plan. Will that work? Here’s how the
numbers work out:
l Initial savings: $1,000
According to the calculator, in eight years, four years at Big State University will cost $62,752, or $14,345 per year. By investing one
hundred fifty dollars a month, Phil and LaDonna will have saved $20,321, enough to pay for one full year and part of a second. If they
were to invest $265 a month (what Aaron and Julie need to invest to fully fund their child’s education), they would have $35,609,
enough to pay for about 2 1/2 years of college. To fully fund Ty’s college education, Phil and LaDonna will have to invest $455 per
month.
3. James and Elise have a fifteenyearold daughter, Mandy, who just informed them that she wants to go to Big State University in
three years. James and Elise have never really thought much about paying for college. Mandy is a smart girl, but they’re not sure how
much she might get in scholarships. They decide to start putting something away but aren’t sure how much good it will do. Here are
the numbers:
l Initial savings: $500
According to the calculator, in three years, four years at Big State University will $46,892, or $12,044 per year. By investing $200 per
month, James and Elise will be able to pay $8,482 towards Mandy’s first year of college. If they invest $455 per month (what Phil and
LaDonna need to invest to fully fund their child’s education), they will have $19,007, enough to pay for all of Mandy’s first year and
about twothirds of her second year. To fully fund her education, they will need to invest a whopping $1,073 per month.
These examples illustrate the benefits of investing early for your child’s college education. But if you haven’t started saving yet, does
that mean you shouldn’t? Should James and Elise even bother if all they can put aside is two hundred dollars a month? Absolutely.
The $8,482 they save is $8,482 they won’t have to borrow and pay back later. Saving is always worthwhile.
You may wonder if saving now will cut your child’s financial aid later. A little for some families, but you’re still better off having money
than not, just as you’re better off earning wages than not despite income taxes. Using today’s aid formula, a low or middleincome
family could lose up to five dollars in aid for every one hundred dollars extra they saved in any of the current college savings tools.
Bryan Taylor
It started with one or two. But now they’re everywhere: on the couch and under it, piling up in corners, spreading across the floor and
multiplying like rabbits.
15Infant Activity and Baby Toys Mix Well
family could lose up to five dollars in aid for every one hundred dollars extra they saved in any of the current college savings tools.
Bryan Taylor
It started with one or two. But now they’re everywhere: on the couch and under it, piling up in corners, spreading across the floor and
multiplying like rabbits.
Infant Activity and Baby Toys Mix Well
The first toys and games looked cute, but at our place the time has come to thin out junior’s growing stock of playthings. We’ll rotate
some into storage and bring them back out as a surprise in a few months; others we’ll give away. All that clutter only gets in the way of
encouraging other baby activities. But if you’re smarter than we are, you’ll use some of the following guidelines to pick smarter toys
from the start using these four criteria.
Safety: Toys Can Be Dangerous
A first rule of toys for infant babies and toddlers should be "do no harm"; toy related accidents are responsible for more than 100,000
injuries each year. Babies can make a toy of almost anything, but a few things should be out of bounds. Make sure it’s sturdy and
doesn’t have chipping paint, sharp edges, breakable parts or strings longer than six inches, which can cause strangulation. And to
avoid choking don’t let baby have anything with removable parts smaller than his fist. Age guidelines can also help you judge a toy’s
safety for your child, but note that older toys may not meet current safety standards.
Age
Toys from the store will usually tell you what age range they’re for, but even if it’s not listed you can get some idea yourself by how your
child interacts with the gizmo. The goal is to find toys that won’t bore him on the one hand or be too complex for him to handle on the
other.
Sense
As baby moves toward her first birthday, watch for toys that will help her take baby steps forward in trying out new skills and new
senses. Try mirrors and mobiles to stimulate sight, a music box for hearing, a cradle gym for touch and chewable toys for taste. As you
try new things she’ll learn how to make her hands work and to understand differences in colors, shapes, sounds and ideas like cause
and effect.
Family Home Activities Are Important Too
The magic of play doesn’t have to come from toys you buy or from the latest product claiming to make your baby smarter. It comes
from everyday interactions that help your child build life skills—things like confidence, curiosity, cooperation and communication. In the
end, your child’s favorite toy might be YOU!
Bryan Taylor is President of EduGuide and the proud father of two young children.

Bryan Taylor is President of EduGuide and the proud father of two young children.
Due to the dynamic nature of our quizzes, they are only available on the web. Follow the addresses below to take a quiz on our
website.
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
http://www.eduguide.org/Parents/TakeQuiz/tabid/114/quizId/62/view/StepTakeQuiz/Default.aspx
http://www.eduguide.org/Parents/TakeQuiz/tabid/114/quizId/64/view/StepTakeQuiz/Default.aspx

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