Without the threat of looming school deadlines, tests, grades and mandated curriculum, a lot of learning can happen.

Summers provide the kind of learning that usually doesn’t happen in school. Children and young people don’t have to worry about cramming for a test, memorizing facts, doing homework or getting graded on their work or lack of work. It’s kind of liberating.

Summers, without school, offer a respite of sorts for all the young people who have suddenly gained back six to seven hours of their daily lives. In the best case scenario, they can sleep in, stay in their pajamas if they want to and plan their day without any direct instruction from an adult. They learn time management in real time. It’s kind of empowering.

Many children experience and exhibit more carefree attitudes during the summer months. It’s not surprising. They can determine their daily agendas without the interruption of bells or teachers telling them what comes next. They can order their own play with or without friends. They can explore indoors or outside using their own powers of perception, creativity and imagination. They can learn from observation, interaction and risk-taking.  It’s kind of exhilarating.

Of course all of this can fly out the window with a little help from well-meaning parents or caretakers who over-schedule a child’s every waking moment. Summers are often filled with adult planned activities designed to promote learning and to use time wisely. It makes us a good parent, right?

Camping is a great summer learning adventure and some young people really enjoy it. Extended, or multiple summer camps chosen by parents, however, may suck the life out of an otherwise enjoyable summer for a young person. This is especially true if they don’t want to be there. Coercion is not a great teaching tool.

Some believe that children won’t learn unless someone is teaching them so summer becomes an extended school year. Our misconceptions around learning are largely due to our own inability to hear the voices of our children. They don’t need moment by moment scheduled activities. They don’t need constant supervision.  They need the freedom to explore, play, design, imagine, innovate, sleep, eat, laugh and have fun. They can actually learn in those situations.

Play is learning hard at work. 

School’s out for summer, so let them play!

There is no doubt that being a grandparent is one of life’s best gifts. In most cases, you can enjoy them without the heavy responsibility of “raising” them.  It’s a real sweet spot for sure.

I wrote in an earlier blog about my dear grandma and what I learned from her wisdom and sacrifices. I’ve also written about how I’ve learned from my grandchildren. (Check back to my July 10, 2016 and August 7, 2017 blogs.)

There is truly a “grand” relationship between these two generations that simply defies comprehension. There is plenty of unconditional love and an abundance of patience on both ends, two qualities that were surely tested in the parent/child scenario.

News Bulletin: I get to be a grandma once again with a new little boy arriving in early July. I’m getting ready! Well maybe not as rigorously as his parents are, but I’m working on a self-directed, self-imposed curriculum in grand parenting 2.0. This is vital since there has been a ten year gap in little ones and a twenty year gap since my first grandchild was born.

To put it bluntly, I’m older! I know because picture albums show me easily sitting cross-legged on the floor, building Lego houses with my first couple of grandchildren. At this point in time, getting on the floor also means having to get up, which is no longer an easy feat or a pleasant sight.  I see pictures of me lifting my 20-25 pound grandchildren into a high chair, a car, and a swing wondering how I did that without wincing.

I plan to complete this prep course for young at heart, but old in body, grandparents like me. I am lifting weights, packing heavier grocery bags and taking the steps more often. I’m parking my car far from store entrances so the walk is longer. I’m also playing memory games, like where did I park my car and where are my keys? I’m hoping to pass with flying colors but I’ve been known to fail a time or two in my life. Nevertheless, I am in this 100%.

Bad knees are my nemesis. As the dictionary definition of Nemisis states: the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall. Not now! I’m hoping to forge ahead regardless because I am going to be a Grammy again and there is nothing better on earth than being a grandparent.

Coming soon…another grand-baby to love!