Life in our house is never dull. Most of our mornings start with a dance party in the kitchen while we fix breakfast and pack lunch. Yesterday that dance party included Michael Franti’s song “Say Hey”, you can click on the link below if you want to dance along. The lyrics to the song include the line
“It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know”
That line lead to a deep discussion of how that was possible. It’s incredible to me to learn how the mind of a child processes things. My daughter questioned the logic behind the lyrics. We talked about how if you never leave your yard you can quickly become an expert in all of the plants and animals that live there, but then if you travel to a very different destination you realize that there is a lot more to learn. She quickly responded that the song should be “The more I see, the more I learn” honestly, I couldn’t argue with that logic.
It’s no secret that I am a huge advocate for enhancing your child’s education beyond their classroom, or even your own for that matter. You are never too old to stop learning, and travel is a great way to learn!
Whether you are exploring the wonders of the Grand Canyon, trekking through the jungles of Costa Rica or simply enjoying all that Paris offers, the possibilities are endless when it comes to learning.
Did you know that there is a link labeled “Parks as Classrooms” for nearly every National Park in the US? Follow that link and you’ll be led to curriculum materials for various grade levels. Just like that you can enhance a beautiful hike along the south rim with the knowledge you will gain by learning about your surroundings instead of just walking aimlessly. Park rangers are also available to provide you with a wealth of knowledge. It wasn’t until I heard a 3 minute talk by a park ranger at the MLK monument in Washington, DC that I could fully appreciate the meaning behind the monument itself. Sure, I had read the plaques that hung at the site, but his explanation of how the stone was chosen to match the colors of the cherry blossoms gave me a new appreciation.
Sloths, monkeys, huge butterflies, zip lines and beaches, Costa Rica is a paradise for all ages. Imagine also giving your budding scientist the opportunity to visit the Monteverde Institute and learn alongside National Geographic funded explorers and scientists studying the cloud forest! We can make it happen through our relationship with National Geographic Expeditions by GAdventures. These journeys are a wonderful way to immerse yourself in destinations around the world.
Lastly, Audrey Hepburn taught us years ago that “Paris is always a good idea.” This is especially true for youngsters or even the young at heart. From iconic works of art to some of the best bakeries in the world there is something for everyone to enjoy. Imagine the fun your family could have learning together to make croissants, macarons or even eclairs. You could even visit a local market with a chef and then return to his or her kitchen to create a meal from your findings.
These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to enhancing your child’s education beyond their classroom. We offer the opportunity to include enhancements like those mentioned above into any itinerary we custom craft for your family. If you are ready to start, click here, I’d love to help.
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