Here in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, our students are on Spring Break. They get a whole week free of quizzes, in-class assignments and homework. Yay for them, right?! While it’s true that they have worked hard for the six months that they have been in school thus far and deserve a break, learning shouldn’t cease just because they aren’t reporting to math, English, Social Studies or Science class. Their seven days of vacation – starting today – should still be filled with exploring and embracing knowledge. Does it mean that you should still get them up at 6 am to eat and get dressed then sit at the dining room table for structured learning? NO! However, it should be incorporated into the activities that they do throughout the day – made to be fun, of course.
Here are four suggestions for getting your child to learn that comes off as nothing but fun, fun, fun:
Take a Trip to the Botanic Garden
Now that the warm weather is upon us, it’s a perfect time to visit your local botanic garden to see beautiful flowers, plants and fish (if your garden has a Japanese Duck Pond like the one in Brooklyn, NY). Have your children to read the labels on the plants you see and have a discussion. Take an account of all of the colored flowers. Then, have them to write a report about their experience. This is science and writing core at its best. If you’re anything like me, you’ll videotape them and post their discoveries on YouTube for the world to learn as well. I’m always proud of what Lady Clara and Sir Isaac learn, and I want to share!
Bake a Cake or Cook Up a Yummy Meal in the Kitchen
Our children definitely enjoy eating delicious desserts and home-cooked meal. So, have them be an integral part of making them. For whatever it is they will cook, have them to read the instructions and gather the ingredients they will need. Then, let them get busy in the kitchen (with your supervision and support, of course). Later on, have them to recount their cooking experience from beginning to end and to do so in great detail. If they are taking the state exams next month like my two, this will be a great writing exercise as there is a writing section on the exam in which they are required to explain what they read. Practice is the perfect helper. Being able to read labels, follow directions and explain how you cooked a dish is a great accomplishment and will carry a child a long way in life and help to sharpen their mind in the classroom.
Visit Your Local Library or Bookstore
Lady Clara and Sir Isaac practically live in our local library, The Indian River Public Library. They participate in learning activities, social events, read books and play computer games and challenge me to chess. For them, it’s the place to be. And, equipped with our April 2012 calendar, they have plans to indulge in the events of this week (beginning with Family Movie Night tonight!). Lots of exploring and learning awaits your children at the library and bookstore. Once you enter the door, let them venture off and choose the books they want to check out or sit down and read. If they’re excited about a comic strip book, for instance, sit down with them and let them read it to you. Then, ask them to write a review about it (what it was about, why they liked it and why another student should read it). For the fun of it, can post it on your refrigerator with stars and A+ marks. They will feel great about something that they loved and you will have helped them along their learning track.
Let Them Play Teacher
Reverse the roles for this week. Let your children play as the teacher and you play as the student. To make it more fun, have them to make a sign to wear around their neck that identifies them as the teacher. Then, let them quiz you on things that they are learning in school. What this activity is doing is helping them to recall their knowledge and continue to sharpen their learning skills. Have them to grade you and post your score on the refrigerator. Perhaps you’ll get smiling faces and stars! I’m excited about Sir Isaac quizzing me on explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Christopher Newport (Hold up, let me do some reading before my son starts asking me questions!).
I hope your children enjoy their week-long vacation and incorporate learning into their relaxation schedule. Until the next time I write, I’m just living the solo mommy life.
Love you much!
Feona Sharhran Huff
Publisher & CEO
Solo Mommy Magazine
PS: If you’re on Facebook, request to become a member of my group, Living the Solo Mommy Life. You’ll gain strategies for empowered living, encouragement, resources and friendships with fellow solo moms and those at the forefront of empowering our parenting community.
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