Teachers believe students who aren’t readers simply haven’t found the right thing to read yet.
There is one cliché that is particularly useful when describing students’ brains during Winter Break: use it or lose it. Most of them choose the latter.
Just like muscles, the brain atrophies if it’s only used to change the channel and text with friends. Here are some ideas to keep your child’s mind from draining away during the long winter holidays.
Take them to the library
For some parents, getting their kids to read is no trouble at all. For others, it’s a struggle. It’s also the best exercise a brain can get outside of school. So take them to the library and tell them that you aren’t leaving until they’ve picked something to read over break. Loosen the reins and see what they come up with. Veto only the most extreme cases (50 Shades of Grey, etc.). Teachers believe students who aren’t readers simply haven’t found the right thing to read yet.
Go exploring
Even busy working parents usually get a day off here and there during the holidays. Instead of sitting around the house on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, organize a family exploration. Visit some unexplored tourist attractions nearby. Go for a walk in a park you haven’t been to before. If you need some help finding a trip, consult your local newspaper or travel sites, if your area is big enough.
Let them be creative
This works great in conjunction with the previous idea. Even kids that are not artistic love playing with cameras (or their cameraphones) these days. Set them up with a Flickr or Shutterfly account and let them run wild in a place they haven’t been before. Even if what they come up with isn’t what you would consider art, they will have fun trying to recreate what they think artists and photographers do. And books or prints of their work make great presents for family members (or the kids themselves).
Give them a project
Do you have a project around the house that you’ve been meaning to get to, but haven’t been able? You would be amazed at what kids are capable of if someone just shows a little faith and patience in them. We’re looking for something just outside their comfort zone, because inside their comfort zone will probably be labeled a chore. It can be as simple as a project from Pinterest or as complex as repainting a room. Let them make all of the relevant decisions to generate buy-in, but supervise to make sure everyone is being safe.