Love to Learn

Both of my kids are in summer school.  It's interesting when you say this to people because their initial reaction is usually shock especially since Jonah just finished Kindergarten and Riley is set to just start Kindergarten this fall.  "Isn't summer school just for kids having trouble?" is the initial words or the look on their face.  Well, summer school is not just for that reason.  It can be a time of fun and learning during the summer when lots of kids are hitting the brick wall called "I'm Bored".  And it's not like a normal school day.  It's only half a day and they are able to learn a variety of things and in a fun way.We had planned for Jonah to go to his old daycare during the summer.  However, we found out about an opportunity for him to go to the daycare program through the school and opted to go that route.  There were a variety of reasons that played into that decision: (1) playing with children his age or older vs. interacting with younger children or babies all day, (2) plenty of interactive activities inside and outside vs. playing the Nintendo DS  inside or shooting basketball outside by himself, (3) opportunity to go to summer school vs. only follow up to kindergarten is at home with mom.So far Jonah has enjoyed the school daycare program.  He's looking forward to the days they will get to go swimming at the YMCA but enjoys playing on the playground, kick ball, dodge ball, board games, etc.  And he is enjoying summer school.  He has been learning Spanish, enjoying story time at the library, and music classes.  He's come home in the first two days and is counting to ten in Spanish, told me his assigned Spanish name (Ezra) and is telling me colors in Spanish.  And he loves story time.  Currently Dr. Seuss is his favorite author.  And music time is filled with singing action songs such as the famous "Chicken Dance."  Riley is also enjoying summer school.  He enjoys story time and the play doh center.  It's hit or miss whether he enjoys music time or not depending on if he knows the songs already.  He enjoys playing outside and snack time.  He likes all of the teachers he says but has decided that it's not necessary to learn everyone's name in his class.  He'll settle for learning a couple names of the ones he really likes.  Last night as I was talking to a few friends after church, we were discussing books we have read, are reading, or want to/should read.  I love to read.  I have always loved to read.  I haven't always had time to read but I think there is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book.  It is one of the most relaxing things for me.  One memorable time was the boys had spent the night with someone so Jason & I went out to eat and then to Books-A-Million.  We browsed books and magazines for over an hour.  Then I settled on a couple of purchases.  I went home and started reading until I got sleepy.  The next morning I got up after Jason went to work and I did my few things around the house.  When those things were finished, I settled in to finishing my book.  And I did.  I finished it that day, in peace and quiet, without interruptions or distractions.  I only stopped reading when I decided it was time for lunch.  And when my family all got back home that night....I was one relaxed mom and wife.  Now granted not all books are "learning" books.  However I have found that although the book may not be specific to teaching me something, the fact that I was reading has helped me to become a good speller, improved my grammar skills, and expanded my vocabulary.  And it's an amazing thing when someone is relating something to you and you can respond, I've read that before.  Or if you are disputing/validating a point, you can reference reading it in a book, magazine, article, etc.  It just makes you sound more intelligent!I hope my kids always love to learn.  I hope that I will be able to show them that learning is fun.  Learning is something you can do wherever you are or whatever you are doing.  You don't have to set out to learn but if you'll be open to it, then it will happen.  There's no need to turn off our brains just because it's summer, or because we graduated, or because we're thirty (almost).  Every day is a great day to learn something.  And I love it