Well, it's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Many of us are looking forward to a break from school - no alarm clocks, homework, after school activities, etc. While a break from school is nice, it is important to keep our kids' brains exercised. Whether you are going away or having a "staycation," below are some fun ways to keep your child engaged and thinking during the break!
1. READ - Throughout the year, many children have required reading or specific types of books/levels that they need to read. Now is a great time to take your child to the library or bookstore and have them choose something they want to read. It can be a joke book, kids magazine, world record book, comic book or novel. This is a great way to show them that there are so many types of texts and if it is something that they choose and enjoy, then they are more likely to read it! They are also more likely to read if they see others doing the same. Pick up a book or magazine you've been dying to read and sit and read next to your child!
2. REFLECTION/LOG - If your child really enjoys something that she read, have her draw a picture of her favorite part, write a few sentences about the story, etc. If your child does not want to complete an extension activity, they can keep a log of the books they complete during the break.
3. WORD PUZZLES - Word searches, crosswords and other word games are a great way for kids to strengthen visual discrimination skills, build vocabulary skills, read and have fun! For intermediate and older students, you can find word puzzle books at the grocery store, dollar store and drug store. For younger children you can look at a school store such as The School Box or Lakeshore Learning to find a word puzzle book on your child's specific level. There are also great websites that you can google where kids can play the games online. Apps are also available for iPhones and iPads.
4. SPELLING GAMES - Scrabble, Upwords, and Bananagrams are all great fun games that you can play during the break. For young children they can use the letter tiles just to spell simple words. For older children it gives them an opportunity to apply all of the spelling skills/strategies they are learning in school. If younger children are learning to spell sight words, let them practice spelling the words with finger paints, paint with a paint brush, chalk on driveway, finger in pudding, etc. If it is fun they will do it!
5. MATH GAMES - Depending upon the grade, many children are working throughout the year on various math facts and skills. If your child struggles with his math facts, it is a good idea to continue practicing during the break. Some kids will shutdown if they see flashcards ("I am on vacation. Why do I have to do flashcards?") so I will offer some other alternatives. You can take dice, have him roll them and make a number sentence using the numbers rolled (he can use addition, subtract, multiplication, or division.) You can also do this with a deck of cards. You can use a deck of cards to play War (good for kids that are working on numbers that are greater than and less than). Color by number activities are great for younger children that are learning their numbers (you can find a lot of these to print for free online). There are an endless number of websites where kids can play online games for free. You can google a specific skill they are working on and plenty of links will come up.
6. ACTIVITY LOG - Whether away or at home, you can take your child to the store to pick out a special notebook that she can use as an activity log. She can write about the different people or places she visits during the break. A great incentive for kids is to let them snap a picture or two of each place/person they see. Tell them that you will print the pictures and that they can write about the experience and then glue/tape the picture that goes with it into the book. Tell her she can take the book to school to show her teacher once the break is over.
7. PUZZLES - It is amazing how many children these days do not have any experience putting together a puzzle. Working on a puzzle is not only a great pastime for many of us, but it teaches strategies and problem solving skills. Get a puzzle that the whole family can work on together. Make sure that you model (out loud) the steps. For example, "Let's start with the corners." Now we should find all the pieces with a straight edge." It will not only be great family time, but you are teaching valuable lessons as well!
8. IMAGINATIVE PLAY - In our fast paced society, our children have very little time to come up with their own ideas about what they want to play and then actually do it. Take a technology time out. Guide your child to make up a game, build something, create something with their art supplies, dress up, pretend, etc. Even doing nothing for a little while is healthy!
9. COMMUNITY HELP - Some of the most important lessons are non-academic. At this time of year when many of our children will receive presents and have large meals with family and friends, it is important to teach our children the important lesson of giving. Before the gifts start rolling in, have your child clean out his room/playroom. Let them make a pile of all of the toys that they no longer play with. Explain that there are children less fortunate that could really use the toys. Once the pile is complete, make sure you take your child with you to donate the toys. It is important for them to be a part of that part of the process. You can also take them to a store and have them pick one or two items that they can purchase for a child in need. Again, take them to the donation spot to see that the toys are being donated. In addition, they can go with you to help donate to a canned good drive or, depending upon their age, to even help serve food at a shelter. These activities are not only good for the brain but they are great for the heart!
10. HAVE FUN! Nothing is better for the whole body than a break and a time to recharge. Spend time with family and friends, relax and just do some FUN work along the way!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!
