|
Greetings!
It looks like the hot weather is definitely here to stay! Here are some cool tips to help get you through the summer.
| |
|
Fun Things To Do While You Travel
Like many other Americans, we are planning a marathon road trip this summer so I decided to look for things to do to keep the younger set entertained and help maintain the driver's sanity. Here are some ideas I thought I would share.
Bring non perishable snacks and drinks that won't spill like capri suns or any juice pouch/box. If you have someone prone to carsickness, Pringles or any other salty snack will help settle the tummy. Also keep a bottle of liquid Benadryl with you to help with car sickness (also works for bee stings), but it has the side effect of making people sleepy.
Be sure to get a trash can for the car and stuff lots of plastic bags in the bottom. A sock filled with beans, rice, or sand in the bottom will help give it the weight to stay upright. Every time you stop check the trash can and see if you need to dump it.
An absolute necessity is blank paper and pencils or markers (if you are brave about your upholstery) to draw, play tic-tac-toe, keep track of license plates, and other games. Sudoku, Word Searches, and Crossword Puzzles are also travel favorites, as are Mad Libs, and Fun Pads. Your local dollar store is a great place to look for fun pencil and paper activities. You might want to throw in a clip board to help with the writing and drawing as well.
Travel Size games such as MasterMind, Brain Quest cards, or games with playing cards such as War, 21, or anything involving strategy.
Keep a family journal of the trip. Each family member makes an entry in a spiral notebook each day about their favorite memories of the day. For those who can not yet write, have someone be their "recorder" and take dictation.
Books are an absolute necessity. Bring books for pleasure and if you can find any books or brochures about the areas you are visiting, they can help build anticipation and let everyone take part in the planning.
Maps. Each night sit down together and mark where you have been and plan your trip for the next day. Be sure to get everyone's input, though not everyone has an equal vote, with adults having veto power.
Budgeting. Have everyone meet together and decide how to spend the money for the day. Eating breakfast and lunch in the hotel or in the car can save a lot of money for other activities. If something is expensive, where can that money be found?
Last but not least, is the IPod, DVD player, and other electronic toys. They are good for driver sanity, but not so good for communication and using the brain. As long as there is a limit to the time spent with them, they can be a definite bonus on long road trips.
Most of all remember to be flexible, vacations are a time for fun and family. That is what has to be important about the vacation.
|
|
Father & Daughter Read Together Every Night for Almost 9 Years Straight
When Alice was 9 years old, she and her father made a pledge to read together every night for 100 nights. Well, 3,218 days later, Alice was in college and they decided to stop the nearly nine-year ritual. Lots of research, including the Children's Access to Print Material & Education-Related Outcomes stresses the importance of having access to books-and using them!-to foster the love of reading, strong reading skills, and good parent/child interaction. Perhaps this summer, you and your family can start a similar tradition. Reading with young children helps avoid future reading struggles by introducing them early to codes (letters) and their sounds, but reading with older children and even teens has benefits as well! Alice gives some great tips to make-and stick with-a reading promise. Listen to NPR's Father/Daughter Reading Streak.
|
|
 |
|
|
Most of all, don't forget your brain training. Take your Set cards along, play tic-tac-toe, play Sudoku or do DSL letter searches or word searches, practice numbers and addition using the clock in the car. Right, left, up, and down can become a game in the hotel or while driving through town. Read together as a family. Vacation time is fun time, but it can also be a brainy time.
Sincerely,
Kristal Randall
Knowledge Tree, LLC
| |
|
|
Did You Know?Knowledge Tree has a special program for college students? It involves brain training online and includes consultations and tracking of skill development. Check out our Brain Skills website to learn more. Knowledge Tree is branching out to work with corporations to help their employees perform at peak ability. If you own a business or know someone who does, have them contact Kristal at 580-822-0105 or check out the website to learn more. Have you checked out what our clients have to say about Knowledge Tree? Do you want to put in your own two cents? Email us with your comments or read client comments here.
| |
|
|
