by Matthew J. Geiger

Created on: October 08, 2009

Summer and winter breaks give students a much deserved break from their labors. Because most schools demand students devote most of their days and weekends to studying, long vacations give children time to enjoy life as well as explore learning experiences beyond school. Unfortunately, these breaks can also leave student brains unfit from weeks of mindless activities, therefore, undermining the long-term goals of school. The solution is to ensure students continue to challenge themselves with real world learning throughout their vacations.

Life is about learning, thus there are plenty of opportunities for students when free of their structured learning environments. Finding a part-time job is one way of occupying some of a student's excess time as well as potentially providing an opportunity for learning. Not only can children learn some financial responsibility, they may even be able to learn a craft or something about the inner workings of local venues. Another option would be to encourage students to help on home projects for the family as well as neighbors and friends or volunteer at local charities and community programs like a park.

Furthermore, vacations and other adventures also present opportunities. Obviously, venues like museums, national monuments, local tributes to historic figures, concert halls, and parks provide learning experiences, especially those attractions people often neglect in their own communities. Beyond history, places like parks and museums can be used to experiment or spark thought-provoking discussion. Additionally, bringing friends along and using resources like the internet to plan interactive activities enhance the learning value of these places.

Meanwhile, continuing a child's education through breaks starts when he or she is still in school. Children, who are interested in volunteer work, science, and other learning activities, are going to want to continue those activities throughout vacation. This is where schools and teachers need to become better members of their communities at the urging of parents. Teachers should be prompted to hook students of all ages on learning activities that go beyond the classroom like community enhancement projects similar to the old 4-H clubs, so students will have something to enjoy during school and throughout vacation.

Most importantly, parents need to create opportunities for their students to learn outside of traditional learning environments. Children need rest and relaxation, yet they also need to keep their minds working. Kids will want to play video games, watch television, surf the web, and simply hangout with friends, so parents should let them, but they also need to steer their activities toward strategic challenges, information rich media, and thought-provoking debate by integrating these activities into their lives during the school year. Moreover, parents can receive no better tip than to pursue ideas that instill the desire to challenge theirs and their children's understanding of the world by exploring.

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