For many students, school is out for the summer and families are planning vacations. Whether you are going to a tourist attraction, visiting relatives out-of-town, or just staying home, children need to be kept busy. Yes, they have their televisions, video games, and CD players, but is there something educational they can do? Of course!

While taking a l-o-ong car, plane, or train trip, try playing an interactive, oral game such as Geography. One person starts by saying the name of a place and all subsequent players must name a place beginning with the last letter of the preceding person's turn. For instance, because Alaska ends with 'a,' the next person says Arctic Ocean. Since that ends with 'n,' the next person could say New Zealand. This will reinforce geographic places as well as concentration.

Another idea is to have a preprinted list of each state and make tally marks next to each one according to the license plates you notice on the road. This will review observation, reading, spelling, counting, and making tally marks in groups of 5.

Older children can review sequencing, outlining, note-taking, and summarizing skills during a trip. This will really help them remember everything they did if you are packing a lot of activities into a short span of time. It also helps if you are not quite sure about a photograph you took!

Have younger children draw or paint their favorite activity of the day. As they dictate a sentence or two about it, write it down for them under their picture.

In today's times, when children and parents are so busy with their own activities, a long drive provides an excellent opportunity to just talk to one another. What a great time to focus on communication skills!

Whatever you wind up doing this summer, relax and unwind from the school year so you will return refreshed and raring to go next year.

Happy Summer!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Freda J. Glatt, MS, retired from teaching after a 34-year career in Early-Childhood and Elementary Education. Her focus, now, is to reach out and help others reinforce reading comprehension and develop a love for reading. Visit her site at http://www.sandralreading.com. Reading is FUNdamental!