Solo Travel with Grandkids

Where Are You Going?

Sandi Poindexter, grandparent and worldwide traveler has some suggestions for traveling solo with a grandchild in this two  part series. Understanding your motivations and asking some basic questions at the front-end helps increase trip rewards and make it enriching and enjoyable, according to Poindexter.

  Why are you going? Objectives range from helping parents and building memories to exposing a child to new environments and having fun while educating on the go. Will you take one grandchild, siblings of different ages or cousins of similar ages? Where will you go? Best choices include: somewhere you and your grandchildren want to go, you’ve been there before, you think your grandchild would like to visit, and you can afford to travel there.

Planning

 What will you do? Research activities to create a list of options within your budget and common interests. 

Research and Plan Your Trip Activities

Ask your grandchildren and their parents to narrow it down after discussion and looking at websites or travel materials.  Besides amusement centers, many museums and parks offer interactive learning with costumes, scavenger hunts and educational play areas. This selection process involves critical thinking, self-awareness and consideration for the grandparent. 

 Is it a trip goal to explore diversity? One advantage of metro areas is sampling foods from a variety of cultures at one time whereas visiting a region allows more in-depth discussion on a specific culture and life-style. If understanding travel options is a goal, try varying types of lodging within the trip – hostels, bed and breakfasts, and high-rise hotels in a city center, suburban chain hotel, rented cottage or vacation home.

New  Travel

  Is it possible to travel in a new way? Even a young child can 

Travel in a New Way - Why Not??

compare trains, planes and cars: trains are better because you can walk around and the windows are bigger,” “Planes get you there faster,” “You can stop when you want in a car.” 

 Long trips often produce the “When are we going to get there?” question. In an airport, give a child a copy of the flight information and show them how to navigate from check-in to the gate. In a car, it helps if a child knows where you are going and can track your progress on a map. Before you leave, point out the starting point, routes and end points. Map reading, whether paper or digital form, requires spatial reasoning. Explain the map annotations for roads and exits and compare them to the roadway signs . There are several ways to apply math skills on a driving trip --compute gas mileage, estimate time based on distance and speed. Ask, what does 60 mph mean? If we have 120 miles to go, how long will it take to get there? What if we stop for gas? 

For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos 

Connecting Music Skills and Learning

  

Music Instruction Along Age 8 Builds Intellect & Emotional Skills

The years before age eight are a critical time for building the physical, mental, and emotional foundations that support us for the rest of our lives. 

   Researchers have found a significant positive relationship between formal music lessons before or around age eight and reading comprehension, spelling, math, listening, brain development, and motor skills in sports.

   The American Association for the Advancement of Science, based at Brown University, explored the effects of art and music education on young children's learning. The conclusions of these studies support the theory that music instruction can help build intellectual and emotional skills, facilitate children's learning and strengthen academics.

There are other benefits, too:

·               Concentration:  Learning a musical instrument helps children develop concentration since they must focus on a particular activity over extended periods of time. Developing concentration in this way also will help them when they must focus their attention on other subjects at school. Learning an instrument may counteract the brain’s tendency to to develop a short attention span from playing video games where the brain is given short bursts of expected reinforcement and rapid fire action which is the opposite of learning an instrument and learning in school.

Many Other Benefits, Too!!

·               Coordination: Practicing musical instruments improves hand-eye coordination.  Children develop important motor skills when playing music just as they do when playing different sports.

·               Relaxation: More and more, music therapy is being used to complement more traditional forms of medicine, especially to reduce stress. Researchers acknowledge that certain types of music can aid relaxation by lowing heart rates and blood pressure.  If a child does not learn an instrument we can at least introduce them to different kinds of music.

·               Patience and perseverance: In order to learn a musical instrument, children must develop patience and perseverance, which will help them later in life when they must tackle other more difficult challenges.

·               Self- confidence:The act of learning and playing an instrument, the encouragement of a teacher and enthusiasm of proud parents and grandparents will build a sense of pride and confidence.  Children who practice self-expression and creativity often become better communicators later in life, according to the research.

Attend Concerts for Inspiration

 If children are entering middle school there is a second opportunity to develop musical skills.  This is the second famous brain development time.  It is like a second chance. That is why it is important to encourage learning a band or orchestra instrument at this important time.

  Spring is a great time to take children to a symphony, musical play, a high school band, orchestra, or choral concert. The music is exceptional and inspires young children, a good time to discuss audience etiquette. 

For more see Through the Seasons live and podcasts; Facebook and Pinterest. grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning