Summer Vacations

Is your family taking a trip this year for your summer vacation? Have you thought of ways you can turn your trip into learning experiences for your children? If you haven't yet, its not too late!

the age of technology is upon us and that means our kids have to know and be able to do more than we probably did. In fact, kids in Alabama have to demonstrate that they know the standards by passing the Graduation Exam before they can receive a diploma. One thing that hasn't changed is the time off that all kids look forward to each summer. However, each year during the summer break, kids lose a little of the knowledge they gained the year before. You can help them to keep that knowledge and maybe even gain a little more! Research shows that what parents do at home is their best way of improving the educational outcome for their children.

This summer when you plan your family vacation, try to make it a Theme Vacation! For example, if you plan on taking your children to visit Washington DC, rent Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ahead of time and watch it with them. Talk to them on the way about our nation's history and then take them to one of the many free museums at the Smithsonian. If you plan your trip well in advance, you can even contact your congressmen and get tickets to see the capital building or the White House. If you are going to a beach, spend a little time with your kids researching the local marine life. Talk to them about beach erosion and how to protect our coastlines. If you are going to visit family in a different state, have your kids research the history and culture of the area. A visit to Selma could be an opportunity for you to talk to your kids about the civil rights history and you could take them on a tour of civil rights landmarks like the Pettis Bridge. the most important part of a Theme vacation is the time you spend talking about it with your kids!