Website design By BotEap.comThe 2020 pandemic has challenged you to rise to new levels of creativity and flexibility for you and your family. Many school districts have had their teachers in Zoom virtual classrooms teaching their school-age children 4-5 hours a day! Additionally, some parents homeschool their children to maintain a learning environment for their children.

Website design By BotEap.comNow that summer has arrived, how can you take advantage of the familiarity with technology and combine it with the resources at your fingertips to keep your child’s thirst for knowledge alive during the summer? Here are 3 simple strategies to create a fun adventure for your family:

Website design By BotEap.com1. Get your child (or teen) involved in the “virtual vacation planning” process. This is essential for them to buy into the idea and maintain interest. I recommend creating a short list of destinations. Then let them research and choose the ones that interest them.

Website design By BotEap.comSome of these virtual tours are so wonderful that they “make you feel like you are really there.”

Website design By BotEap.comWhere have you and your family wanted to go? This is your chance!

Website design By BotEap.com2) Ask your children to write in their journal about their virtual vacation. Encourage them to record the experiences that they found fascinating. Ask them 1) what they learned about each place they visited and 2) what they enjoyed the most about each place. If your child is too young to write it, ask him both questions and write down his answers.

Website design By BotEap.com(Have your older children write down any questions or observations they would like to explore when they visit the destination in real life.)

Website design By BotEap.com3) Then have a picnic in your backyard with some of the food that you and your children have cooked in honor of your visit. Prepare special dishes that your family likes, as well as new dishes from your virtual vacation. Using new and old family recipes, your children will read and measure ingredients, which will help them in both math and science.

Website design By BotEap.comI remember fondly cooking meals with my mother and grandmother. With my mom, we made pumpkin pecan pies and blintzes. My grandmother Mary, educated me in the fine art of creating Hungarian cuisine to make stews, roasts and side dishes. It all started with cooking the sauces for 3 to 4 hours with the stew meat and adding the Hungarian spices. The stews and roasts were delicious and the cakes were delicious. Many years later I gave concerts in Hungary at their Liszt Academy of Music and ate at fabulous restaurants with my husband while listening to Robby Lakatos, a gypsy violinist.

Website design By BotEap.com*At your picnic Have each person read their answers to your two questions. Ask your younger children to answer the two questions and, if necessary, quietly remind them of what they said earlier when you wrote it down. You want to start the creative process of learning and thinking for your children.

Website design By BotEap.com* Have family reading time every night. Involve your child or teen by asking for their input in selecting an adventure story that they would like to read as a family. Parents start reading with enthusiasm and joy using different voices for each character. So ask your older children to read and do this too! Afterward, discuss the story you have read together by asking your children questions to guide them through their thought process.

Website design By BotEap.comHere are some resources to get you started on your virtual vacation:

Website design By BotEap.comVirtual Disney with attractions https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/watch-disney-rides-on-youtube

Website design By BotEap.comAustralia and the Great Barrier Reef https://www.insider.com/australia-virtual-tour-guide-great-barrier-reef-2020-4

Website design By BotEap.comVirtual Venice https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/virtual-venice-how-to-tour-venice-from-home

Website design By BotEap.comSo where did you and your kids decide to travel on your virtual vacation?

Website design By BotEap.comAre your diaries ready to go?

Website design By BotEap.comHave your children decided what food they want to cook for their picnic after their virtual trip?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat recipes do your children want to find on the Internet?

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