It's that time of year--the vacation you coveted all summer went on sale the day after school started for the kids. That means it's also the time of the year when parents ask themselves, "Should I take the kids out of school to travel?
Ever since my kids were in preschool, I have answered that question with a resounding, "Yes!"
As a parent, I firmly believe that traveling provides an education that can be just as valuable as the algebra they will learn. Perhaps even more valuable.
I can say unequivocally that I have never, not once, used algebra in my post-graduation life. However, I have regularly used the things I learned on my travels--including things I learned at Disney World (I love Animal Kingdom and the info at Epcot, but there also are educational bits to be found at the Magic Kingdom, such as the history at the Hall of Presidents).
Even when they haven't learned anything specific (the history of the Roman Coliseum, how a shark's skin feels), I believe travel has been beneficial to my children simply because it opened up their world. Swimming with the boy from Jamaica whose mom was the cook at the villa where we stayed gave my kids a front-row look at life in the poorer corners of our world. Even learning how to occupy themselves on those seemingly endless overseas flights is a worthy lesson.
But choosing to take kids out of school to travel--even if the trip is the annual trek to the grandparents' house for Thanksgiving--requires weighing the costs and benefits. For example, if your child already is struggling in school, missing a few days of classes could do long-term harm.
Assuming, however, your child is doing OK in school and can afford to miss a few days, talk with the teachers before buying those plane tickets. I always let teachers know at the beginning of the school year that there might be days when the kids would be absent because they are traveling with me. And I always told them to let me know the minute that caused a problem for them or for my kids.
I have even asked teachers to give my kids an assignment about the destination. Not one has taken me up on the offer. That means ensuring every trip is educational means handing out my own homework assignments. Depending on the child's age, I have asked them to research the destination ahead of time. Or map out the most direct driving route. Or write a report or draw picture after the trip focusing on something they learned.
It doesn't have to be an onerous assignment. I just want to help them see traveling as a part of their education, not a way to escape from it.
