The Parent Connection May 2006
By Elizabeth Swartz

For a printable version click here. PDF 80KB

The Fun of Reading
Encourage kids to read for pleasure this summer

In order to meet standards, there are so many requirements made on a child's reading, with school assignments and reading lists. The freedom to read whatever they want is only realized by the very best students during the school year. At this time of year, however, it can be a joy in which all students partake. Even while summer break is still a few weeks off, the workload in most schools is slowing down. Celebrate by going to a bookstore or library together. Let your children pick out stuff just for fun reading.

Borrow books on tape or CD from the library and listen to them together; they will interest even the most tepid readers in your household. Contact all the local bookstores and libraries to find out about reading programs, visiting authors, illustrators and book clubs for kids. Look up the websites of favorite authors and illustrators to check works in progress. Get to places like www.storynory.com, where traditional as well as new stories can be downloaded onto your computer or the kids' iPod.

Your family may even want to write its own stories for read-aloud fun. Simply bring an empty notebook with you on vacation and take turns writing down things that happen. Just write the date and place on each entry and have the author sign it. After all, who isn't going to want to write about the night a skunk got in Dad's tent?

There are many ways to enjoy stories together and they are all good for your child's education.

A Summer of Culture
Incorporating the arts is easier than you might think

It has often been thought that if you wanted to give your kids a chance to enjoy the arts, a trip to the nearest city was in order. While that is still the best option, it isn't the only one. A little research within your community, a sharp eye on the newspaper and collecting all those free "What's Happening?" brochures can get you started.

Start with your own closest community; find out what different activities are happening in the summer months. Are there concerts in the park? Parades? Musicians visiting churches? Regional or community theater performances or puppet shows? Get a calendar started of what is happening where and see which events you can fit into your plans.

Art is everywhere
Help the kids try as many different visual arts as possible. Get some paper and charcoal, lots of paints, clay and craft kits. Put things in their hands and art will happen. Take them to see art – local museums, galleries, photo exhibits – and then stand back and watch the kids produce things that will amaze you.

Whenever you go hiking, take a camera for each child. The one-time-use ones are fine; you haven't lost much if it falls in the river! After getting the photos developed, let each child select the best to mount or put in a notebook with a caption. Did you all see the same things on your hike? When hiking at a national or state park, be sure to visit all the buildings. They often include collections of artifacts, photos or paintings of the area.

Take your children to where they can hear, and even try playing, lots of different kinds of instruments. Encourage them to drum along with their favorite CD – even if the drum is just made from an old oatmeal container.

Feel the rhythm, see the color and watch art come to life in your own house and community this summer.

Juggling Plates
Family mealtime is making a comeback

A recent study by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) revealed an encouraging statistic. The number of children ages 12-17 who are eating dinner with their families at least five times a week rose to 58 percent last year from 47 percent in l998. According to the Center's website (www.casafamilyday.com), "Research…consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are smoke, drink or use drugs."

It takes a lot of effort, as any parent knows, to juggle the school and extracurricular schedules of two or three kids (as well as parent's own work schedule). But Miriam Weinstein, author of The Surprising Power Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Smarter, Stronger, Healthier and Happier (Steer Forth Press, 2005) says, "there is definitely an awareness that was not there a few years ago." She also writes that "All the factors that have been working against family dinners are still in full force, but it's very much a subject on people's minds."

Some of the families in the study reported that moving the mealtime to later in the evening is much better than everyone grabbing something that isn't healthy and eating at different times and places.

How often does your family eat together? The summer months are a great time recommit to sharing meals. Strengthen that bond and make family mealtimes a habit that no one in your house can live without.

For a printable version click here. PDF 80KB

Elizabeth Swartz is the librarian at the Watsontown and Turbotville Elementary schools in Pennsylvania.