about keeping her own three children
active and occupied throughout the
summer break back when she was
living in the US. She suggests planning
a set time each day for an activity. She
likes to vary the skills her children use.
“
For my beach theme, I’ll have them
prepare by listing or drawing things
they may need. They could plan a
picnic, and I’ll ask how many pieces of
bread we need for four sandwiches,” she
says. Just in preparation, she explains,
she’s covered language through list-
making, and maths through estimating,
problem-solving and addition. At the
beach, sand and sea provide sensory
exploration; science is covered through
discussing tidal patterns or sorting
shells. Back home, they might paint a
beach scene, or make an ABC book
about the beach.
Sites like Rachel’s, as well as
Pinterest, offer great inspiration.
Parents who work can make day
Theme: Nature in the City
Trips:
The Peak; Tai Tam Country Park; Sai Kung Country Park; your
local park. Spend time out among leaves and plants. Younger kids might
like collecting nature objects; older kids love a competitive scavenger
hunt where they have to find items you’ve added to a list. The walk itself
will provide exercise, but a game of hide and seek, catch or blowing
bubbles is an added extra. To calm down, try finding an item to sketch
or photograph. Before you leave, ask the children to collect a few rocks or
pebbles for later in the week.
Bring:
A magnifying glass, sketchbook and crayons, camera, ball or
Frisbee, snacks, small bag for keepsakes.
Science:
Show them a plant or a picture of a plant and ask them to name
its parts (bud, petal, stem, roots, etc). Children could use their collected
nature items to create a diagram of the parts of a plant. They can draw in
any parts, like roots or stem, that may be missing. According to age, they
can label each part.
Art:
Ask the kids to discuss the differences in the rocks and pebbles
they’ve collected. Provide paints for them to paint a rock, and stick googly
eyes (available from stationery stores) to create a pet rock. Older kids
might write a summary, including the pet rock’s name and (imaginary)
quirks, likes or dislikes.
Maths:
Younger kids can group their nature collections in order of size;
older kids can measure or weigh any of the objects they’ve found.
Summer 2013
65