Weight, exercise and healthy eating top the lists for New Year’s Resolutions. Summer Vacation Resolutions focus on reading, writing, arithmetic and recreation without television. At least that was what I heard during recent visits with young mothers who truly believe that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
Each had a plan. Sharon made a check list for each child. Before they can play or watch television each elementary aged child must have at least a 10 minute Bible time, read books for a half hour, do a math worksheet, write a letter or journal entry, do a couple chores, get 30 minutes of outside exercise and have some Mommy and Me time.
Brittany looked at Titus’ stack of unfinished workbooks from kindergarten and declared, “He is going to finish the math, reading and writing workbooks.” When Titus said he wanted to play a board game about the States of America, she decided, “We will kick it up a notch so he is memorizing all of them.” The child won’t even know what hit him.
Most will attend at least one week of Daily Vacation Bible School, but Brittany realized. “Titus has asked a ton of questions about the Bible so I’m looking for a year-long curriculum for him.”
Her sister, Heidi, simply said there would be family devotions every night – following a day of Austin and Olivia helping with meals, setting and clearing the table and working on reviewing school material. For writing, she said, “Liv has some penpals.”
The catch is that when the moms decide to increase their child’s knowledge, it means mom has to study as well. Heidi plans a weekly trip to the zoo to dispense interesting facts she researched and learned.
Joy wrote on Facebook, “We are going to study one person’s biography every week. The first requirement is that I have to have a children’s book to introduce the person.” She asked for ideas and books.” Friends offered many suggestions including visiting nearby sites honoring Abraham Lincoln or George Washington Carver.
The week we visited them, Sam, Sophie and Henry had studied and talked about seeds with a picture book and planting seed. Of course, their flourishing garden also added to the educational experience.
Gardens are a family thing. Heidi and her mom plan to have the children help weed and pick produce this summer. Hoe a few rows of corn, tomatoes and peppers; pick and clean them for supper and kids’ appetites for veggies increase.
It won’t all be work. Heidi plans a weekly movie night, outings to the splash pad, individual dates with parents and a goal of riding bikes without training wheels. The big lesson to learn this summer is tying shoes.
Joy added learning the social graces with weekly tasting Tuesdays. Last week, the lesson was on manners. She invited other children to join her three to hear a book about manners and then practice the lesson with a tea party using glass party plates and tea cups.
The rest of Joy’s outlined lessons for Kids School include a spiritual emphasis called “Children of God” beginning with the fruits of the Spirit and times for cooking lessons and social studies.
As the summer began in earnest with her goals clearly outlined, Joy’s posted a Facebook picture from four years ago with her two oldest children sitting at a small table for their first summer school. She wrote, “I think summer school lasted two weeks that year. Here’s hoping for a longer run this summer!”
Here’s hoping it does. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.