Last Summer My Kid Ran Away 

When I Asked Him To Read

Summer vacation is a beautiful time for our youth. They get to spend more time with their families and friends and can focus on hobbies that are difficult to master during the school year. From sports to video games, children will find something exciting to occupy their time. As much as we want our children to have memorable experiences, the summer can be a dangerous time for their growth. The urge to totally shut off learning is high, which puts them at a disadvantage heading into the new school year.

   Unfortunately, our schools are structured in such a way that learning has become a dirty word. The constant drills and rules of their school can leave our children with a bad taste in their mouths. The thought of learning in the summer is equivalent to a murderous horror villain coming after them.  Reading lists are nothing more than propaganda in their eyes and will not be completed without harsh consequences.  Summer is an important time for learning and it must be done; however, the way it is done must be evaluated.

   Learning should not be a chore for children. The tools we use over the summer must be different from those we use during the school year. We need to develop activities that at least offer a different experience than their school days. For instance, a mash-up of video game learning with reading  or even creating a sports game can help take some of the stigma off learning.  Anything that engages their mind is beneficial and will at least prevent them from being disgusted with you. You want to do your best to avoid the reaction they give you when you ask them to do the dishes.

    As we try to promote their learning process, traditional school topics do not need to be the focus during the summer. If your child is into cars or fashion design, you can have them investigate their interests. For instance, you can have them calculate measurements for clothing or graph how many miles takes up a certain amount of gas in the car. The curriculum will vary upon the child’s interest and will be more effective than making your child do a hundred dreadful math problems.

   Let’s not have our children run away from us this summer. We need to do a better job in making activities that help enhance our children’s skill level while motivating them to actually do it. I for one hope to do a better job. I don’t know if I can catch up to my son anymore. He’s gotten fast!