Summer Activities Can Spur Curiousity, Creativity

It is not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted.

This anonymous adage is appropriate as families begin summer vacation. As seedlings take root in our gardens, parents can choose summer activities for their children which cultivate the seeds of curiosity and creativity. A love for learning can take place at the lake as well as in the classroom.

Summer means popsicles, swimming, campfires and sunburns. While having fun, however, there are also ways to reinforce your children’s academic skills to prepare them for the new school year.

Bonnie Williamson, author of “Parent Power” (Dynamic Teaching Company), devotes an entire chapter of her book to enriching a child’s summer vacation. Here are Williamson’s suggestions:

Reading A hammock, lemonade and a good book make a perfect summertime trio. Arrange for your children to go to the library once a week and choose books of interest to them. Enroll them in the library’s summer reading program.

“Summer Bridge Activities” (Rainbow Publishing) is a terrific collection of workbooks spanning preschool to sixth grade. Each book lists more than 200 activities for a child that will help him or her retain the information learned from one grade to the next.

The books incorporate reading, writing, arithmetic and language skills into an enjoyable, easy-to-use program. They also contain incentive contracts for parents to use with the child. To order, call (800) 598-1441.

Gardening Gardens produce inquisitiveness in children and teach them the importance of sun, soil, nutrients and water. For details, check out Kevin and Kim Raftery’s book, “KidsGardening, a Kids’ Guide to Messing Around in the Dirt” (Klutz Press).

Summer jobs Responsibility, initiative and thoroughness are some benefits of summer employment. Pre-teens will enjoy the money they earn while learning hands-on lessons of planning, advertising, invoicing, budgeting and investing.

Summer jobs can include baby-sitting, pet-sitting, lawn-mowing, window-washing, car-washing, errand-running, laundry assistance - and lemonade stands.

Writing Many a poet has been inspired while gazing at clouds on a summer afternoon. Encourage your child to journal by purchasing him or her a blank book. Set small writing goals, such as one page per day of stories, thoughts or diary entries.

For kids with computer skills, suggest they write a family newsletter or neighborhood newspaper.

Music “This summer, consider giving children the gift of music appreciation,” writes Williamson. This can include music lessons, family sing-a-longs, jam sessions using homemade instruments, concerts in the park …

For young children, Wee Sing books and tapes provide a variety of songs with music and lyrics included.

Exercise Physical activity enriches a youngster’s well-being. Build sports and exercise into your family’s summer, beginning with after-dinner walks. Skating, biking, swimming and baseball increase coordination, balance and rhythm. Check out sports programs or camps through the YMCA or community college.

Cooking Boys and girls can become budding chefs beginning with a few rewarding experiences in the kitchen. Summer provides the opportunity to select a recipe, purchase ingredients, follow directions and sample the results. Help your children plan a picnic or throw a party with their newly acquired skills.

, DataTimes MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.