Dear fellow parents,
Let me start right off by telling you that yes, I do value education...immensely as it happens. I have been a teacher and school librarian for the past twenty years. I also understand the delicate balance between academics and attendance, and if your kid has chronic absences and general attendance issues, then this post is not for you! Everyone else, read on.
The underlying message here is simple: everything in this world will cost you either time or money. That is a universal truth you can bet your bottom dollar on. There's a reason those flights are twice the price during school breaks. School systems tell us, "We give you time off, take your vacation then." The problem is the travel industry knows this and capitalizes on it. Who can blame them though? It's supply and demand at it's finest. So, what's a travel-loving parent to do? Hello...did you even read the title of this post?!
Since I've already told you I am an employee of the U.S. public education system (and so is my husband, so we're in it for the double win), you surely must have guessed that I don't have an unlimited budget. Add that to what seems like unlimited kids (yes, I have 5!) There's no way we can afford a to go to Hawaii...or Greece, or Morocco....right? Wrong. I've chosen to spend the one resource that I do have (at least for now) and that's time. I opt to travel when the deals are hot and the crowds are not. Now, let's set your good-parent conscience at ease with five compelling reasons why it's perfectly okay to take your child out of school for your family vacation.
1. Experiential Learning:
We often hear that experience is the best teacher, and this holds true for our children as well. Experiential learning leads to better retention of information and the development of essential life skills. When we explore new destinations, our children are actively engaged in a hands-on education that no textbook can replicate. From historical landmarks to unique ecosystems, they're learning about the world beyond the classroom walls. Imagine your child learning about ancient history while exploring Greece or learning about marine biology wading in tide pools in Hawaii. Your kids will forget their high school history lessons, but I bet they won't forget learning about Socretes while visiting the Parthenon.
2. Cultural Enrichment:
Traveling exposes your children to diverse cultures, traditions, and languages. It broadens their horizons, fosters empathy, and encourages them to embrace differences. Imagine the excitement on their faces as they taste local delicacies, learn to say "hello" in a foreign language, or participate in traditional ceremonies. These experiences help shape them into more open-minded and globally aware individuals. By experiencing different traditions, languages, and perspectives, our kids are not just learning about the world but also how to be more understanding and accepting individuals.
3. Building Resilience and Independence:
Traveling requires adaptability and problem-solving skills that are just as important as acing a math test. From navigating new environments to handling unexpected situations, traveling helps kids build resilience, independence and confidence. They'll learn to communicate with strangers, manage their own belongings, and navigate unfamiliar territories. These real world skills are invaluable and will serve them well throughout their lives, and for this reason, we started training our kids to travel at a very young age.
4. Bonding as a Family:
In our fast-paced world, quality family time is sacred and the time spent exploring new places, sharing experiences, and working together can have a profound impact on family dynamics. Traveling together provides a unique opportunity for meaningful bonding and creates lasting memories. You can use this time to disconnect from the stresses and daily routines of life. What's more, by taking your child out of school for a trip, you're likely saving money by traveling in the off season as well as avoiding heavy tourist crowds, which can sometimes lead to stress in itself. This is an opportunity to truly focus on each other. Whether it's exploring ancient ruins, hiking through breathtaking landscapes, or simply enjoying a meal together, these shared experiences will create memories that will last a lifetime.
5. Inspiring a Love for Travel:
By exposing your child to the wonders of travel at a young age, you're planting the seed for a lifetime of exploration. It's no secret that travel broadens horizons and instills a sense of wanderlust. You're showing them the world beyond the classroom walls and inspiring them to become curious, adventurous souls who are hungry for knowledge and experiences.
While it's crucial to emphasize the benefits of travel, we must also acknowledge that education is essential. Missing a few days of school can be justified as long as it's a well-thought-out decision. As an educator, here's how I ensure my children's academic progress isn't compromised:
Make-Up Work: Our kids complete their schoolwork while on vacation to minimize disruption to their learning. I let the school know well in advance (I'm talking months) and ask teachers to put together the work that they will miss so that my kids can take it with them. Many schools like ours also require parents to get prior approval from the principal. I let the principal know that my kids will be learning as a part of our trip and explain to them all of the benefits to this type of real world experience.
Incorporate Learning: While traveling, we always look for opportunities to incorporate educational experiences. We visit museums, historical sites, and cultural landmarks and limit tech time to evenings only when we're all relaxing. Like us, you can encourage your child to keep a travel journal where they can write about their experiences and reflect on what they've learned. Even if it's just a list of thing they are doing, it's a way you can ensure that the trip has an educational focus while still being fun and engaging. Plus, they can use this to share with their class when they return.
Stay Connected: Another thing we try to do is stay connected with classmates and teachers. While we were in Greece last year, my son's second grade teacher coordinated a unit on ancient Greece. We were able to FaceTime his class from the Parthenon and do a virtual field trip. His class asked questions about his experience there, the type of food he was eating, the weather, everything; it was educational for everyone. When he was in first grade, he made a video log about volcanic rocks and different kinds of lava during a trip to Hawaii. Doing this helps your child's school see that they are learning on vacation and it helps your child stay connected with their school community and share their amazing experiences.
Prioritize Attendance: I have never been refused allowing my kids to make up their work from days missed on a family vacation, and I think that's mostly because my kids hardly ever miss school. We prioritize school attendance by scheduling appointments and other commitments around school hours. In the rare times that I absolutely have to take them to an appointment during the school day, I bring them back, even if it's just for an hour. My kids go to school with allergies or headaches or cramps. My kids go to school on rainy days and got-home-late days. Bottom line, unless you have a diagnosed case something that's contagious, you're going to school if you live in my house. Apart from that, we only consider missing school when the educational benefits of a trip significantly outweigh the drawbacks.
So there you have it, dear parents - five solid reasons why it's okay for your child to miss school to travel, along with some handy tips we follow to make the most of our experience. Remember, education is not confined to the four walls of a classroom. The world is a vast classroom waiting to be explored, and by allowing your child to embark on these educational adventures, you're giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.
Are you ready to start planning your own amazingly educational family vacation? Let Bound Bookings take care of all the details. Email Travel@BoundBookings.com for a custom quote today or visit www.boundbookings.com.
Safe travels and happy learning!
About the Author:
Christina Dickens is a passionate traveler and writer who believes that travel is not just about seeing new places; it's about immersing yourself in the richness of the world's cultures.
She is a career school librarian with a passion for knowledge, and a desire to share her adventures with the world. She loves to read, write, and spend time with her husband Daniel and their five children.
As the owner of Bound Bookings, Christina aims to create travel experiences that foster understanding, empathy, and a deep appreciation for the diversity of our world.
Visit www.BoundBookings.com to plan your own culturally curious adventures today!
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