Summertime traditionally encourages lazy days, vacations,
swimming, and
”
nothing to do.
”
But for young minds, this is the perfect time to enhance and
expand a child’s mind with a variety of learning opportunities.
Summertime traditionally encourages lazy days, vacations, swimming, and “nothing to do.” But for young minds, this is the perfect time to enhance and expand a child’s mind with a variety of learning opportunities. As a parent, summer can be difficult arranging baby sitting, enforcing curfews and bed times, and allowing kids time to relax and recharge for the next school year. However, a child’s mind must not become lazy during these days of summer. Instead, think creatively and cost effectively on how to add enrichment and adventure to summertime fun. Here are some ideas from my own children’s summer vacations.
Enrichment opportunities
The most recognizable and easiest way to expand your child’s mind is to take your child to places that offer enrichment opportunities. These places can be local museums such as History Park San Jose or our own Morgan Hill Historical Museum. The local library has a great wealth of programs and resources to add spice to your child’s summer days. Our area is rich in great cultural, scientific, historical and artistic resources. We have a wonderful art museum in San Jose with classes and tours aimed at young minds. The Tech Museum of Innovation is a world-class, state-of-the-art, hands-on discovery center. We have access to numerous physical activities such as swimming at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center, or hiking up El Toro or in Mt. Madonna Park. The beach is less then an hour away and historic San Juan Bautista is just down the road. Even a walk through downtown Morgan Hill can offer an enriching experience if one takes the time to look up and observe the sites of this town.
Community service
Another way to stimulate a child’s mind during vacation is to participate in a community service project by doing something for others or the community at large. This giving back not only benefits children, but contributes to the betterment of our society. A visit to a senior center or convalescent hospital to help seniors write letters or send out cards to loved ones will benefit both parties. Children can bake dog biscuits for the humane society or offer to volunteer there. Soldiers serving our country overseas love to receive cards and “care packages” from children. Books can be collected from friends to be given to homeless shelters. With rubber gloves and garbage sacks, children can “adopt” a section of a park or neighborhood and help to keep it clean or they can help paint out graffiti. The benefit of offering service to the community teaches our children so much more than the act. It helps them understand that service to others is valuable and an important character trait.
Critical thinking
Try to put critical thinking exercises into the daily routine. While shopping, create math problems based on rounding or quantities needed for a certain meal. Question children on why something is the way it is and see if they can figure out the reasons. Do hands-on science experiments. Follow the stock market and let the child “buy” stock and watch its value rise or fall over time. Check the weather daily and keep a chart of the temperature. There are dozens of ways to infuse critical thinking exercises into your child’s daily life.
Problem solving
Children love to solve problems by delving into projects for a purpose. There are many web-based project-based learning activities available on the Internet. One site is Web Quests that offer numerous projects in a variety of subjects and at numerous age levels. Take your children on virtual field trips to such places as Colonial Williamsburg, Plimouth Plantation, the National Archives, Gettysburg, or along the Lewis and Clark trail. Work with your child to plan trips or excursions by mapping out the routes, figuring distances, and then have them create an itinerary and budget for the trip. Children can write letters asking for information about places that are on the planned vacation. Start researching colleges by investigating local institutions and then expanding the search to colleges that interest your child.
And the best thing your child can do this summer is READ, READ, READ. Reading is the surest way to improve academics and it can magically take your child anywhere and to any time.
By incorporating just a few ideas or one of your own into your kid’s routine when school begins in August, your child will be alert, engaged, and ready to continue learning. When the new teacher asks, “What did you do this summer?” Your child won’t answer, “Nothing.”
Margaret Rodrigues is presently studying the history of the Underground Railroad at Yale University through the Gilder Lehrman Institute. She is the Elementary Program Staff Development Facilitator for the South County Teaching American History Grant.
