From the Superintendent’s Seat
Make Travel Time Count
By Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

This is the time of year when spring break is right around the corner, and soon after follows summer vacation. If at all possible, try to schedule some travel time with your children. The opportunities for learning are nonstop, and the memories you make will last forever.

Involve your child in planning a trip and you’ll quickly see how you can’t help teaching them new things. Start with a map and show your child where you are going. Discuss the different types of transportation you would consider using, and decide on a route to travel.

Whether you are taking a car trip or going by plane or train, make the journey as meaningful as the destination. Put in a little math lesson when you fill up the car and have a contest to see who can guess how many miles it will be to your first stop, or how many miles you will get per gallon of gas.

In the car or plane, engage the whole family in such time-tested games as “Geography” and “License Plate Poker.” Another game your children will enjoy is to create a funny story by each taking turns adding something new to the adventure. If you prefer a little more structure, check out the travel games at the store before you go. You’ll find trivia games and more that you can play together as a family.

At airports and train stations, look for signs in more than one language and see if your child can recognize the foreign words or learn some new phrases. Of course, if you are traveling to a country where another language is spoken, this is the time to get your children a phrase book and encourage them to speak the language of the land. You’ll most likely have to spend a lot of time waiting at airports, so be prepared to put that time to good use. Also, make sure to have some books for your children in your carry-on luggage.

If your vacation involves touring museums or historical sites, your children will be exposed to many exciting and interesting discoveries. Sometimes, you can arrange your itinerary to complement what your children are studying in school, or their current interest. Most big cities have wonderful science museums, aquariums, zoos, art museums, children’s museums, and much more. Plan your excursions with the age and stamina of your children in mind. Schedule in time for resting, eating a picnic lunch, or shopping for a souvenir to avoid overtaxing the children, even if it means you may miss an attraction or two.

Don’t be surprised if after touring the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower your child’s favorite stop was the hotel with the lumpy beds or the restaurant with the great desserts. Remind yourself that all new experiences are part of
the trip. The most important part of a vacation away from home is spending time together while putting aside daily routine##s and chores. Enjoy your children and your family, be aware of the great learning experiences that travel affords you and make the most of it. Bon voyage.#

Dr. Hankin is the Superintendent of the Syosset School District in Lon Island.

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