Ahhh...weekends. Here I am at the computer on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Kids all over the country look forward to sleeping in, taking it easy, perhaps putting off homework and not touching school books for a whole day or more. What's wrong with that? Nothing, of course, because we all need time to relax, take a break, and recharge. But weekends should not be a time of endless idleness. I have often wondered where this idea has come from that relaxation always and only means hours of mindless television, video games, and junk food. Don't get me wrong, I have indulged myself from time to time as well, but I would invariably reach the end of such a day with a sluggish, lathargic sense of emptiness and wondering where the day went. The rising problem of obesity among school children has not been uncommon in the news recently, either. Perhaps it is not a leap to link this problem with lifestyle to problems in school. If children see time at home as time to laze around the house, then no wonder waistlines are expanding while academic performance declines.
In an effort to combat this trend, I encourage parents to see the weekends as a time to connect with their children and keep the spark of curiosity alive. Let the kids watch their Saturday morning cartoons, but limit their T.V. time to one hour or less. Instead of going to the movies in the afternoon, think about visiting a museum. Instead of a day playing video games, get the whole family engaged in a lively board game or card game. Do some simple crafts; Grandma and Grandpa would love to get a handmade card in the mail. Instead of sending them outside to play by themselves, why not join them? You can take a leisurely walk and draw their attention to changing leaves or squirrels that are gathering nuts for the winter. I would wager that spending time outdoors with your child would leave you feeling pretty good, too.
Relaxation is good and necessary for health, but play can still mean learning, thinking, and doing. Engage their minds, and let your children see that curiosity and wonder does not need to end with the school bell on Friday afternoon.
In an effort to combat this trend, I encourage parents to see the weekends as a time to connect with their children and keep the spark of curiosity alive. Let the kids watch their Saturday morning cartoons, but limit their T.V. time to one hour or less. Instead of going to the movies in the afternoon, think about visiting a museum. Instead of a day playing video games, get the whole family engaged in a lively board game or card game. Do some simple crafts; Grandma and Grandpa would love to get a handmade card in the mail. Instead of sending them outside to play by themselves, why not join them? You can take a leisurely walk and draw their attention to changing leaves or squirrels that are gathering nuts for the winter. I would wager that spending time outdoors with your child would leave you feeling pretty good, too.
Relaxation is good and necessary for health, but play can still mean learning, thinking, and doing. Engage their minds, and let your children see that curiosity and wonder does not need to end with the school bell on Friday afternoon.
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