Summer Enrichment Garners Life Lessons

Summertime is a time where lifetime memories are made.

Hands down! Summer is probably the second favorite time of the year for children - with Thanksgiving and Christmas being a close second.

Summertime is the equivalency of children taken the house back (figuratively). In order to keep them intellectually and socially engaged, here are four family-oriented activities to enhance lifelong learning.

#1 Reading

The Baltimore County Public Library will host its annual Summer Reading Program beginning June 20th and ends on August 14th. Pre-registration opens on May 9th. The program is designed for children, teens and adults. Students can enhance their imagination and academic prowess through reading. Take advantage of the program and register online or go into your local branch.

#2 Planning

There’s a phrase that states, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” In action and knowledge, everything we do requires an analytical thought process and intricate planning. During the hazy and humid days to come, train your child/children on how to prepare meals for the week, camping trips, or when house guests are scheduled to visit. Train their minds to consider the items they will need for each event and/or activity. Show them how to create a check list. Explain to them what to expect in preparation for college, learning a trade and/or how to save money. Applying consistent and incremental steps toward a larger goal will secure a desired outcome. Expect the unexpected and prepare for it as well.

#3 Volunteerism

Volunteering at your place of worship, with a community organization or a little league team is an opportunity to learn how to become a “servant leader.” Students can earn service learning hours toward graduation and gain skills in high-demand careers including, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through volunteering, they will develop a solid network of business professionals as well.

#4 Sex education (age appropriate)

Empowering your child/children with age appropriate knowledge about sex is the parent’s responsibility. With a myriad of views and moral standards, health and sex education is part of the parent’s at-home curriculum. The reality is if parents fail to take the initiative in educating their children about puberty and sex, they will soon be mis-educated by their peers, social media and their imaginations.

There is a constant need to educate on many levels. Education is a matter of life, death and the quality of life. Monitoring what our youth mentally digest on TV, music videos, social media, and video games is a constant battle. But it can be won.

Education and social learning can be transforming and beneficial for the entire family. The late Nelson Mandela , president of South Africa and an anti-apartheid revolutionary once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world.”

And still we have the power to change.

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