From
the Superintendent’s Seat
Make
Travel Time Count
By
Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs
This
is the time of year when spring break is right around the corner,
and soon after follows summer vacation. If at all possible, try
to schedule some travel time with your children. The opportunities
for learning are nonstop, and the memories you make will last
forever.
Involve your child in planning a trip and you’ll quickly see how
you can’t help teaching them new things. Start with a map and
show your child where you are going. Discuss the different types
of transportation you would consider using, and decide on a route
to travel.
Whether you are taking a car trip or going by plane or train,
make the journey as meaningful as the destination. Put in a little
math lesson when you fill up the car and have a contest to see
who can guess how many miles it will be to your first stop, or
how many miles you will get per gallon of gas.
In the car or plane, engage the whole family in such time-tested
games as “Geography” and “License Plate Poker.” Another game your
children will enjoy is to create a funny story by each taking
turns adding something new to the adventure. If you prefer a little
more structure, check out the travel games at the store before
you go. You’ll find trivia games and more that you can play together
as a family.
At airports and train stations, look for signs in more than one
language and see if your child can recognize the foreign words
or learn some new phrases. Of course, if you are traveling to
a country where another language is spoken, this is the time to
get your children a phrase book and encourage them to speak the
language of the land. You’ll most likely have to spend a lot of
time waiting at airports, so be prepared to put that time to good
use. Also, make sure to have some books for your children in your
carry-on luggage.
If your vacation involves touring museums or historical sites,
your children will be exposed to many exciting and interesting
discoveries. Sometimes, you can arrange your itinerary to complement
what your children are studying in school, or their current interest.
Most big cities have wonderful science museums, aquariums, zoos,
art museums, children’s museums, and much more. Plan your excursions
with the age and stamina of your children in mind. Schedule in
time for resting, eating a picnic lunch, or shopping for a souvenir
to avoid overtaxing the children, even if it means you may miss
an attraction or two.
Don’t be surprised if after touring the Louvre and the Eiffel
Tower your child’s favorite stop was the hotel with the lumpy
beds or the restaurant with the great desserts. Remind yourself
that all new experiences are part of
the trip. The most important part of a vacation away from home
is spending time together while putting aside daily routine##s
and chores. Enjoy your children and your family, be aware of the
great learning experiences that travel affords you and make the
most of it. Bon voyage.#
Dr.
Hankin is the Superintendent of the Syosset School District in
Lon Island.
Education Update, Inc., P.O. Box 20005, New York, NY 10001. Tel:
(212) 481-5519. Fax: (212) 481-3919. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2001.
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