Friday, May 04, 2007 Parenting for a new generation By Victoria B. Neri
SUMMER is here!
My friends encouraged me to write about summer ideas for children that they may apply in their day-to-day parenting.
Dr. Maria Montessori said, "Follow the child" and this tells us to offer the children some activities that appeal to them. Thus, I recommend three options: plan for a vacation, enroll them in summer class, or stay at home and do some enjoyable plus productive activities. You can also jot down other activities that you and your child would love doing.
If you choose vacation, go to place where your child can explore the world. For children ages three to six years old, they still need to learn through the different body senses, so let them use those senses in exploration by doing a listening walk, a sniffing walk, a feeling walk with eyes shut, or other ways.
For four year-old children, they love vigorous activities and they are ready for learning new physical skills, like bike riding and swimming. Children from five to six years old are now on their social encounter experiences, so you have to let them be with other children and guide them as they interact with each other.
Children in the elementary level are fast developing their skills in using their reasoning minds and imagination with eagerness to expand knowledge and experiences.
These children have plenty of enthusiasm and desires within themselves to have a fantastic summer, so include them in your planning.
Experiences with the natural world can fill many happy hours.
Research about the places, landmarks, geography, culture and special attractions. Interview someone about their history, culture, industries, religious festivals and government.
When you're out, have time to play and practice a sport or physical skill. Spend as much time in outdoor as possible.
If you opt for school, enroll them in a summer camp workshops, or enrichment classes. Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School offers a dynamic summer camp with a 3-point program-Leadership, Values Formation, Talents and Skills Development, Workshops in Creative Arts/Construction Line Painting, Dancing, Acting, and Singing are also offered.
We also have classes in Language and Math that will enrich your child's mind. They can also take piano, guitar, or violin lessons.
These are activities that will give them a wonderful and exciting learning experiences that will help them reach their full potentials.
If funds are limited, you can plan to provide the best environment and activities for summer at home. Older children can learn photography or how to use a camera. They can help with household chores and the family can cook together. They can learn doing new and helpful tasks like washing clothes, folding, polishing and others.
You can also aid in improving their language skills by having a family reading time or a read a loud time. Each will have a chance to be the leader. You can play board games and tell children to write letter for friends and relatives. To improve skills in Math, have them keep statistical record of number of books read, make computations of the cost of items bought when you shop, measure things around the house, or help in making the budget.
All those will make children feel wanted, needed and loved. We will be giving them our time, energy, love and a wealth of memories that will last a lifetime.
