Summer can continue to be a time
of learning for young people, and it’s important that parents keep that in
mind.
As a family, choose an
important news event to follow for a day or two. Ask each person to find as
much information on the topic as possible — read newspapers, listen to the
radio, watch TV news, or check online. Then talk about what everyone has
learned.
You can also make a family game
of discussing a special issue. For example: “Teenagers should be allowed to
vote.” Or, “There should never be any homework.”
Ask your children to think of
all the reasons they can to support their views. Then ask them to think of
reasons opposing their views.
Which views are most
convincing?
For variety, you can assign
family members to teams and have them prepare their arguments, pro and con.
Exercise also helps keep the
mind sharp, and summertime is a great time for fitness. Ask your children to do
at least one kind of exercise every day. For example, they could run or walk
briskly for 10 minutes.
When possible, they should
walk, instead of riding in a car, for any distance less than a mile.
Have your children create their
own week-long exercise plans. Try to think of a modest reward for sticking to
the plan. Then exercise right along with your children, for everyone’s health.
