- Have your child read (or be read to) daily. This is important year-round, whether it’s a school break or not!
- Take a side trip if you have visiting family—visit a local museum or two. Many are open through the holidays and offer exhibits just for kids. The Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and Arizona Museum for Youth are just a few.
- Limit TV time. Healthy kids make better students so get the kids outside, weather permitting, and let them get some exercise! Or, if the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor play, get them moving with indoor training. Kidz World has some great ideas!
- Still shopping for the holidays? Give your child books and educational games as gifts. Educational Toy Planet, Wonder Brains and Young Explorers all offer educational games and activities to purchase. If you are on a budget, browse these sites to get ideas. Then visit your local Salvation Army or second-hand shop where you are sure to get a great deal on educational games or toys that will spark the imagination!
- Keep your child as close to his regular schedule as possible. It makes that first day back to school so much easier!
Kids need time off from school to relax, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop. Find ways to sneak in learning by going the extra mile and hunting for those opportunities. At the very least, ask your child’s teacher for some take-home work that can be completed during break. Your child will be that much better off when he returns to school in January!
