We live a lifestyle of learning that never takes a vacation! We are always learning and growing, discovering God's world around us! Yes, go ahead and put the school books away this summer and have some fun. But, don't stop learning.
There are a myriad of opportunities for learning and you can probably think of many more.
Walk outside. Walk along the ocean, through the woods, across a field, near a lake, in a garden, or go on a "Wet Walk." Nature is full of interesting things to look at and discover. Let children gather rocks, twigs, shells, or other "neat stuff," as long as it's legal. We once brought home a legally protected box turtle (we rescued it from the middle of a highway ) and had to return it where we found it or face a stiff fine.
"My purse is so heavy," I would think to myself when Julianna was a little girl. Cleaning it out, I would discover rocks and more rocks. Julianna collected rocks wherever we went and had the most exciting time adding to her collection when we vacationed in the North Carolina mountains. Jimmy discovered stamp collecting in a homeschool coop and I shared my extensive stamp collection with him. Now, his stamp collection is huge! Let children start a collection. The ideas are endless: stamps, coins, rocks, baseball cards, dolls, tea cups, postcards, spoons, figurines, action figures, or memorabilia. Each collectible has its own history.
Learn a new skill this summer. Take swimming lessons at the local pool, take a ballet class, learn to square dance, take tennis lessons at the recreation center, sign up for summer sports at the Y.M.C.A., take a class at Michael's such as cake decorating or tole painting, sign up for music lessons at the local community college, or take a Bible class at church. What are your childrens interests? Follow that lead and expand their knowledge and skills.
Look for ministry opportunities. Is there a neighbor that is unable to take care of her lawn or do minor repairs around the house. Offer to mow the lawn, weed the garden, or trim the bushes. Is there someone from church in the hospital. Visit with the children, bringing homemade cards and bright smiles. Invite the new family in the neighborhood over for dinner and watch a movies together. There are so many natural ways for your children to learn to serve, reach out in love, and show hospitality. Take advantage of these opportunities while your schedule is less busy.
You might consider purposeful ministry. Pray together and choose a ministry at church or in your community to participate in. Our family is involved in worship and sound ministry. We have also served together in teaching Vacation Bible School. Blanche, a friend of mine, involves her boys in teaching Sunday School with her, doing puppets, telling stories, or praying with the young children. Some homeschooling families serve at a soup kitchen or work at a ministry thrift store. When the children were younger, we delivered "Meals on Wheels" once a week to local elderly people. We also enjoyed monthly nursing home visits where we sang and recited Scripture to the residents.
Do your children jump at the chance to visit a museum? Mine say that they don't, but once we take the trip, everyone enjoys themselves. There are so many museums that go out of their way to provide hands-on opportunities for children, bringing the subject alive. But, even if it is a traditional museum, let children wander around and look. I hear things like this, "Look at that!" or "Hey, that's pretty cool!" or "I wonder what this is for." Realize that attention spans might be short, so move through the museum quickly, or better yet, let children move through at their own pace. My children's favorite museums have been the Orlando Science Center, Smithsonian, and St. Augustine's Colonial Spanish Quarter Living Museum. What is available near you or near your vacation destination. We always take one vacation day for a "homeschool field trip"!
Choose a good book and read aloud every morning this summer while you enjoy bagels or doughnuts. Watch historical movies like Gone with the Wind or The Sound of Music together. Talk about the movies afterward.
Go berry picking at a nearby farm. Plant a vegetable or flower garden. Learn about the wonderful world of plants by working outside in the bright sunshine. God put the first couple in a garden and there seems to be something so natural about "working in the soil."
Consider the fertile soil of your child's heart. Cultivate his of her love for Jesus with prayer, Bible study, and family worship. Dig into God's Word together and reap a harvest of good fruit in their character and behavior. Is your child a disciple of Jesus? Take time this summer to make sure!
Whatever you do this summer, have fun and enjoy your children. These years fly by so fast. Make the most of these long summer days! Be blessed!
We live a lifestyle of learning that never takes a vacation! We are always learning and growing, discovering God's world around us! Yes, go ahead and put the school books away this summer and have some fun. But, don't stop learning.
There are a myriad of opportunities for learning and you can probably think of many more.
"My purse is so heavy," I would think to myself when Julianna was a little girl. Cleaning it out, I would discover rocks and more rocks. Julianna collected rocks wherever we went and had the most exciting time adding to her collection when we vacationed in the North Carolina mountains. Jimmy discovered stamp collecting in a homeschool coop and I shared my extensive stamp collection with him. Now, his stamp collection is huge! Let children start a collection. The ideas are endless: stamps, coins, rocks, baseball cards, dolls, tea cups, postcards, spoons, figurines, action figures, or memorabilia. Each collectible has its own history.
Learn a new skill this summer. Take swimming lessons at the local pool, take a ballet class, learn to square dance, take tennis lessons at the recreation center, sign up for summer sports at the Y.M.C.A., take a class at Michael's such as cake decorating or tole painting, sign up for music lessons at the local community college, or take a Bible class at church. What are your childrens interests? Follow that lead and expand their knowledge and skills.
Look for ministry opportunities. Is there a neighbor that is unable to take care of her lawn or do minor repairs around the house. Offer to mow the lawn, weed the garden, or trim the bushes. Is there someone from church in the hospital. Visit with the children, bringing homemade cards and bright smiles. Invite the new family in the neighborhood over for dinner and watch a movies together. There are so many natural ways for your children to learn to serve, reach out in love, and show hospitality. Take advantage of these opportunities while your schedule is less busy.
You might consider purposeful ministry. Pray together and choose a ministry at church or in your community to participate in. Our family is involved in worship and sound ministry. We have also served together in teaching Vacation Bible School. Blanche, a friend of mine, involves her boys in teaching Sunday School with her, doing puppets, telling stories, or praying with the young children. Some homeschooling families serve at a soup kitchen or work at a ministry thrift store. When the children were younger, we delivered "Meals on Wheels" once a week to local elderly people. We also enjoyed monthly nursing home visits where we sang and recited Scripture to the residents.
Choose a good book and read aloud every morning this summer while you enjoy bagels or doughnuts. Watch historical movies like Gone with the Wind or The Sound of Music together. Talk about the movies afterward.
Go berry picking at a nearby farm. Plant a vegetable or flower garden. Learn about the wonderful world of plants by working outside in the bright sunshine. God put the first couple in a garden and there seems to be something so natural about "working in the soil."
Consider the fertile soil of your child's heart. Cultivate his of her love for Jesus with prayer, Bible study, and family worship. Dig into God's Word together and reap a harvest of good fruit in their character and behavior. Is your child a disciple of Jesus? Take time this summer to make sure!
Whatever you do this summer, have fun and enjoy your children. These years fly by so fast. Make the most of these long summer days! Be blessed!