The long vacation is often viewed as not only a break from school but also a break from learning and a time for children to be carefree \u2013 when basically \u201ckids can be kids\u201d.\u00a0 But did you know that this vacation is also a period where the rate of academic development declines amongst children, especially if they are not engaged in educational and recreational activities? Children are learning all the time, even when school is out, and so the founder of The Spelling Bee<\/i> Ghana and the Vlisco Ambassador 2014 has developed 10 top tips to keep your children active during the long vacation:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 <\/b>Read to Achieve!<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cA child who reads will be an adult who thinks\u201d \u2013 George Carlin, American writer and actor.\u00a0 As parents, we need to foster a love of reading during the long vacation and keep up your child\u2019s literacy skills (i.e. spelling, pronunciation, etc) all year long.\u00a0 Children who read over the vacationoften gain rather than lose important skills; especially if you read with or to them.\u00a0 Reading is a skill for life and as with any skill, practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n
\u00a02.<\/strong>\u00a0Write, write and write some more!<\/b><\/p>\n Encourage your child to keep a journal to record their experiencesover the long vacation.You could even ask them to write that very popular essay we all wrote when we were in school, \u2018how I spent my long vacation\u2019!This will help sharpen your child\u2019s writingskills,engage their imaginationand you never know, their journal could make a best-selling novel one day!<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>Learn online<\/b><\/p>\n We live in a technological age and most children have access to the internet.Children can easily become addicted to spending countless hours playing video games, chatting with friends and watching their favourite television programmes online; as such we need to manage what they are exposed to online.\u00a0 During this longvac, include learning in their online activities.\u00a0 There are many websites where your child can read, practice their math skills; learn about science and much more.\u00a0 Find out what some of these websites are, save them in your online favourites and encourage your childto visit these sites whenever you give them permission to go online.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0<\/strong>Track news stories<\/b><\/p>\n There is so much going on around us, locally and all over the world, and no child should be left out of the information age!Buy newspapers and clip outnew stories and compare them; discuss the current events and why it\u2019s of importance to them too. \u00a0This will keep your child aware of their surroundings and well informed about the world.<\/p>\n 5. Get<\/strong>\u00a0active<\/b>!<\/p>\n The long vacation is a time when the whole family can be active together.\u00a0 Find a fun charity run\/walk to do together on weekends, or sign them up for an outdoor activity.There are several vacation camps that offer swimming, football and other fun physical activities.Remember, it is important for your child to have at least 1 hour of physical activity each day as it keeps them happy, healthy and alert!<\/p>\n 6. Board<\/strong>\u00a0Games!<\/b><\/p>\n Playing board games is a great way to keep your child\u2019s mind flexible and active.\u00a0 Depending on the game, your child may have to develop some kind of mental strategy to win.\u00a0 Also, most board games actually require your child to put their math skills to use,such as counting how many pebbles they have accumulated after playing Oware; <\/i>playing Scrabble<\/i> also helps improves their vocabulary whilst scoring points.<\/i> Did I mention how much fun it can be for the whole<\/span><\/i> family to play board games?<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0<\/strong>Sightseeing<\/b><\/p>\n Ghana has a rich history and a beautiful landscape.\u00a0 There are many castles, mountains, waterfalls and much more.\u00a0 Take a field trip and go and see what Ghana has to offer.\u00a0 You will be surprised what you can alsolearn about our rich culture!<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0<\/strong>Respect the Earth<\/b><\/p>\n Every living thing has a purpose.\u00a0 Teach your child about the importance of nature and how to preserve it.\u00a0 Let your child help with the gardening, cleaning or washing in the house. Remind them of the importance of respecting the Earth and its habitat.The Earth is the only planet that supports human life, plants and animals; if it dies our source of life dies.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0<\/strong>Volunteerism<\/b><\/p>\n Volunteering with your child gives them an opportunity to remember what they are thankful for; it also has long \u2013 term payoff.\u00a0 For instance, is your child a brilliant pianist?\u00a0 Or a good reader?\u00a0 They can offer to teach other children in their church or within the community; that is the spirit of volunteerism. \u00a0Again, there are many worthy causes in Ghana that would be thankful for any form of volunteering; identify one together with your child and support it.Volunteerism creates a lasting influence on your child and teachesthem important life skills.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0<\/b>Vacation Classes<\/b><\/p>\n This is meant to help your child get a head start for the next school year.\u00a0 There are many schools that provide enrichment programmes and activities.\u00a0 If your child has an academic weakness, thelong vacation is the perfect time to help strengthen it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source: Vlisco<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The long vacation is often viewed as not only a break from school but also a break from learning and a time for children to be carefree \u2013 when basically \u201ckids can be kids\u201d.\u00a0 But did you know that this vacation is also a period where the rate of academic development declines amongst children, especially […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":36130,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[16],"yoast_head":"\n