If you plan to take your children for a foreign vacation you might be surprised to hear that your family can use the experience as a great learning tool. This applies not only to homeschooling students but to any child; the exposure is great for broadening their horizons. Here are a few things that you can help them focus on in order to get more out of the trip.
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Geography
Before you leave, get a travel book for the country. Have your children learn where it is located and how long it will take to travel there. You can use the globe to pinpoint the travel route you will take. Then have them check to see if they are going to travel over land or over sea. Identify the countries that they will cross on the journey. It will help them get a sense of just where they are headed on the trip.
History of the Country
Each country has its own unique history and this is a great lesson to teach the children when they are about to visit a country. Pay special attention to the history of the tourist attractions that you are sure to visit on vacation. That way, when they get there the children will know what the fuss is about when visiting an old building. Also, try and hire a guide on the spot to get more information that is pertinent to the building.
Foreign Language Phrases
Picking up a foreign language is fun when you know that you will actually get to test your knowledge with locals. If you are already learning the foreign language in your home school classroom, all the better. If not, then have the children identify common phrases that they use daily and find the proper foreign translations. Practice these phrases to get ready for the vacation.
Traditional Dress and Food
Its always fun to play dress up, so try and get a traditional costume of the country that you are visiting for the full family. These can often be rented for a photo session if they are too outlandish to wear back home. It is also a good idea to expose children’s taste buds to different kinds of cuisine. Let them taste some of the local food and decide whether they like it or not.
Article Inspiration: About Homeschooling
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