Kids are like sponge. They absorb information from their surroundings without even our being aware of it. It is imperative that we expose our kids to sensory rich experiences. Get the kids to put away their devices. Enough of playing online games. Book your tickets and pack your bags. Here are three must visit places for kids:
1. National Parks
There is no better place for sensory stimulation than nature. Many of the Sensory Processing Disorders can benefit from more time spent in nature. Pediatricians and occupational therapists emphasize Vitamin - N. The US has some of the best kept national parks in the world. From thick forests to dry deserts, the variety is all there for kids to explore. Walking around, smelling the soil, seeing the rich colors of nature, feeling the breeze on your skin, jumping around, lying in green meadows, swimming in water holes, smelling flowers, identifying insects, recognizing bird calls, checking out scat, following pug marks, photographing nests - the list of things that one can do while out in nature is endless. Kids learn about cycles of life and become keen observers of nature.
2. Maker Faires
Kids learn best while observing. Just like language learning starts with imitating sounds made by parents, learning to make things starts by observing parents. As parents we can only expose our kids to things we know, but by taking them to Maker Faires we can get them to see a variety of people working on a host of things. These are also places where one can see interaction among people with a variety of skills. Some build things from scratch while others assemble. June 17th-June 23rd in the National Week of Making. These faires are held all over the country. Even if you don't have a product, such places are great to spend a day.
3. Interactive Museums
Kids dislike museums in general, but interactive museums they like. Buttons to press, things to stand on, lenses to peer into, pedals to push, handles to turn and innumerable other things to do. These museums are designed to catch and hold the attention of kids. Some museums even have escape room type games. Some give out T-shirts. It may take some coaxing, but once in, kids will hate to leave. Most museums will have a summer program. It uses the attractions at the museum to help kids learn something. It could be exposure to art or science.
It's summertime. Best time to have relaxed outings. It could be just you and your kids or it could be you, your kids and the entire extended family. Plan a visit. Meet other families. Go have some fun!
1. National Parks
There is no better place for sensory stimulation than nature. Many of the Sensory Processing Disorders can benefit from more time spent in nature. Pediatricians and occupational therapists emphasize Vitamin - N. The US has some of the best kept national parks in the world. From thick forests to dry deserts, the variety is all there for kids to explore. Walking around, smelling the soil, seeing the rich colors of nature, feeling the breeze on your skin, jumping around, lying in green meadows, swimming in water holes, smelling flowers, identifying insects, recognizing bird calls, checking out scat, following pug marks, photographing nests - the list of things that one can do while out in nature is endless. Kids learn about cycles of life and become keen observers of nature.
2. Maker Faires
Kids learn best while observing. Just like language learning starts with imitating sounds made by parents, learning to make things starts by observing parents. As parents we can only expose our kids to things we know, but by taking them to Maker Faires we can get them to see a variety of people working on a host of things. These are also places where one can see interaction among people with a variety of skills. Some build things from scratch while others assemble. June 17th-June 23rd in the National Week of Making. These faires are held all over the country. Even if you don't have a product, such places are great to spend a day.
3. Interactive Museums
Kids dislike museums in general, but interactive museums they like. Buttons to press, things to stand on, lenses to peer into, pedals to push, handles to turn and innumerable other things to do. These museums are designed to catch and hold the attention of kids. Some museums even have escape room type games. Some give out T-shirts. It may take some coaxing, but once in, kids will hate to leave. Most museums will have a summer program. It uses the attractions at the museum to help kids learn something. It could be exposure to art or science.
It's summertime. Best time to have relaxed outings. It could be just you and your kids or it could be you, your kids and the entire extended family. Plan a visit. Meet other families. Go have some fun!
