Use of the term grandparent roles provides a means to define how grandparents might interact with their grandchild. Sometimes it is referred to as styles of grandparenting. There are a number of possible roles for grandparents to fill as they develop a relationship with their grandchild. This means opportunities for grandparents to be creative in finding what works best for them and their grandchild.

This entry addresses an important aspect of early childhood education. Much has been written about the value of intergenerational or skipped-generation interactions. This entry provides a more complete view of family life for both young children and their family.