Best Ways to Make Travelling Educational for Kids
Is there a way to make travelling educational for kids? Of course, there is! As a matter of fact, children learn most when they are having fun. While visiting various places, they will be amused and won’t even realise that they are actually learning about history, geography, maths, etc. Even a visit to an amusement park can be educational if planned the right way. So, what is it that parents can do to help their kids learn something from each trip they take them to?
Educate yourself to teach them
Doing your homework first before expecting your kids to do theirs is the right thing to do. Even if you think you know a lot about the place you are about to visit, you should research it, because the things you know might not be as interesting to kids as some others might.
Naturally, there are some essential facts you will tell your kids about the destination, but you should make an effort to find some that would trigger their imagination and satisfy their curiosity. But, you shouldn’t worry if they catch you off guard. If they ask you something you don’t know much about, turn it into a game and let them discover the answer by themselves. That’s the best way to learn!
Picking a destination
You don’t have to travel far so that your kids could learn something new. There are many places you can visit in England and find out more about our own culture and tradition. But, the further you go, the more your children will learn, since the most distant civilisations are usually the most interesting ones to kids.
The choice of destination will probably depend on your personal preferences and your finances, but you can also follow your child’s interests. For example, if your little one is obsessed with ancient cultures, you can do no wrong by visiting Greece, Egypt, or Italy.
Learning the language of the locals
Studies have shown that children who travel a lot find it easier to learn a new language. Start with some basic words and phrases while still at home and watch your child absorb the language spoken by the people you are visiting. Learning a new language at an early age is so much easier, and the pronunciation is more precise when learned during childhood. This might even be one of the most significant benefits of travelling as a child.
Once your kids know some basic phrases of a new language, challenge them to use only those and the ones that they learn by themselves while visiting places during the trip. You will see how quickly they will find their way to communicate with people who speak differently.
Getting to know new cultures is a great way to make travelling educational for kids
There is no better way to educate your kids about different cultures than to visit the countries in question. When they find themselves surrounded by people who are not from their homeland, they will want to know how they do things. They won’t be aware of the learning process; their curiosity will drive them. The problem with formal education is that children can easily forget what they learned about, but being a part of a particular culture even for a day or two is an unforgettable experience.
It is true that travelling is a way to find yourself. We test our limits, find ourselves in situations we have never thought possible, discover new passions, and learn what we are good at. That is why kids who travel often are happier, more mature, and easily adaptable.
Visiting landmarks when travelling
Before you even start the trip, you should make a list of things you would like to see and do with your children. Some children will want to talk about future adventures, while others like to be surprised. No one knows your child better than you do, so you should be the one to pick the approach.
When they find themselves in front of the Eiffel Tower, for instance, they will want to know who built it, when that happened, and they will have dozens of questions about it. The story about every landmark includes a little bit of history, geography, architecture, and so much more. Your kids will acquire all those much better than they would from their school books.
Travel books
However, travel books can be a good starting point for the trip. You can get them at the library or a book store and encourage your kids to find out more about your future destination. When you reach it, they will already have some knowledge that can serve as a base, and it will help them feel better and more confident about themselves.
Speaking of books, getting some as souvenirs can be a great way to bring back home what they saw. Travel books usually contain a lot of information, some of which is not so important for a young child, but they might find these souvenirs rather useful in a few years.
Relocating can be educational too
Moving to another country, for whatever reason, will bring some new knowledge to your kids. They might not be thrilled about leaving their current home, friends, and school, but the more they are used to travelling, the easier they will adapt to their new hometown.
Just like you need to have someone by your side to help you to your new home, your child will rely on you for support and comfort. The transition to a new home is never easy, but the benefits can be huge. Your kid will make new friends, and we learn something from every friendship in our lives.
Learn through food
Even food can be a means of education. Whenever travelling with kids, you should take them to taste local specialities and maybe even visit a farmer’s market. The most popular dishes are usually made of locally grown ingredients, so you will be able to discuss with farmers how they are grown and what can be made from those. That way, your kids will learn something about nature too.
If globe-trotting is out of your price range, and you would like your children to learn about cultures through food, don’t you worry – countless restaurants are serving authentic food from other parts of the world right here in England. That can be one of the fun things to do in London if you cannot travel at the moment.
Those were just some of the suggestions on how you can make travelling educational for kids. The added bonus when you travel with your children is that you get to know each other in various situations as well. Now, Bon Voyage!
