Educational Disney Trip?

[Mkrop]

When DS9 finished K his teacher made the recommendations to keep up their reading, either they read or you read to them, keep reviewing letters and numbers, and most importantly she wanted them to keep up with their journals. Other than that she wanted them to have fun but she stressed that many parents get to hung up on the facts and really need to work on creative writing.

The kids kept a journal all year long that had a blank space at the top for a picture and then a space to write at the bottom that had the lines with the dotted line in the middle. We kept a journal over the summer. I felt this covered a lot of things. With this one journal, he was able to work on handwriting (his needed work), his letters, his drawing skills, and most importantly his writing skills.

I think you could easily work a journal into your trip. Write about your favorite animal at AK, your favorite ride, your favorite character, silliest moment etc. You can have a Disney journal and then a summer journal where they can write about just plain old summer fun too.

I found this type of journal at Beckers teacher store.

 

[Chrissie-riel]

If you want her to do something, but not necessarily school work, try the printouts from:

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/journal.shtml

Ditto to Mommy Poppins!! They have the cutest pages there - I will be printing out a cute journal book for my kiddos to take when they are out for a few days in September (free dining here we come!! ) We'll turn them in to their teachers along with any homework that they want us to make up. Have fun and enjoy your summer!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

First off I am not a teacher! (far from it) My children are 10 and 11 and they attend a Montessori School which do not have textbooks until you are in the seventh grade!!!!!! They are just as smart if not smarter than some of their friends in a normal classroom setting. My point is they dont need a workbook. I am all for figuring the tip...colors...numbers...etc. Everything my children learn is because they touch it to learn it. It is all hands on. Even maps!!!! They have the opportuninty to learn so much at epcot and AK as well as the other parks. I take my children out of school every year for a week to ten days to go to WDW. They do their work ahead of time and everything is fine. Relax and let them spend their money on a babysitting service this summer because that is what they amount to to me (in the summer) and you can spend yours at WDW. Have a great trip!!!!!

Also I wanted to add books for the airplane would be nice. (for you and them!)
Something else fun to do would be hidden mickeys. (shapes)
Pin Trading is good for social skills!

 

[DisneeMommee]

Disney is a learning playground. No need to feel guilty. You will be experiencing cultures from other countries, reading menus, let your child count the change when you buy something, count the doors of the hotel on the way to yours, count the steps, use a watch to check the times of shows - how long until the parade starts, etc. Go and enjoy! Your child will be learning a lot more than you think. (Some of the attractions are highly educational) I have been amazed at the papers our children have written about things they did at Disney for school projects.

 

[Schmeck]

Kids get plenty of schooling during school. If your kids get a head start, they might be bored while the teacher is showing the other kids. Let them have fun during summer. But since you asked:

1.We brought flash cards to do in line while waiting for a ride.
2.We had him help figureing out the bill/change
3.Played the alphabet game (Try to find an A,B,C... in a sign)
4.Played when I went to Disney I packed ...(something A, then something B....)

Have fun on your trip and just be a kid with your kid. The kids will get enough teaching in school, don't worry about the summer programs.

That's what I was thinking - those kids getting a 'jumpstart' are going to be spending a lot of down time waiting in school next year! My kids didn't do summer enrichment, but still get bored in school waiting for the teacher to move on, which they can't do until the entire class is pretty much done...

If you feel your children got enough out of kindergarten so that they are ready for 1st grade, let them play! If they need to work on a few things, make it fun. You can play all kinds of games in line, as the poster mentioned above!