Keeping Kids Active and Learning During the Holidays

Keeping Kids Active and Learning During the Holidays

Tucson, AZ (Vocus) December 13, 2010

As the superintendent of three thriving Arizona charter schools and the mother of twins, Raena Janes knows winter break is not only a great time for kids to relax and unwind, but also a great time to re-energize for the new year and new semester. She’s also aware that the holiday season is a hectic time for parents as they juggle family and community events, traveling, shopping, cooking, decorating, entertaining, wrapping and more. That’s why Raena is taking time out of her busy schedule to let parents know it’s simpler than they might think to keep kids’ minds and bodies active and energized during winter break…even in the midst of a multitude of seasonal commitments and obligations.

“I know how crazy this time of year can get for parents…and kids, too,” Raena said. She speaks from experience. Raena is a dedicated mother and founder and superintendent of Tucson’s La Paloma Academy, the fastest-growing charter school in Southern Arizona. She is also the superintendent of two additional charter school systems in Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona, Heritage Elementary School and Liberty Traditional Charter School.

“Still, there are many ways families can spend time together, have fun, keep active and keep learning while kids are out of school this holiday season,” said Raena. “Sometimes it just takes a little creativity to turn a task into a fun learning experience. I really believe keeping kids’ minds engaged and bodies active over long breaks from school can help make the transition back to school at the end of the break easier on kids, parents and teachers alike,” she added.

Below are a few of her easy ideas for keeping kids of all ages energized and involved with fun, educational activities during the long holiday recess.

Bake Together

The holiday season means meals, potlucks and even cookie exchanges with family and friends. These, of course, mean lots of cooking and baking. Including your kids in the cooking and baking process can be a great opportunity for learning and sharing time together. Younger children can measure and count ingredients for some fun math practice. For older children, talk about the science of cooking — for instance, why does yeast make bread rise, or at what temperature does chocolate melt from a solid to a liquid? Together, you can make learning fun and create something delicious together!

Create Together

Holiday art projects can be entertaining and a great learning device for kids of all ages. They can also add a personal touch to your holiday decorating and giving! Work with your child to draw holiday cards, paint ceramic ornaments, cut out snowflake decorations for the windows, or stamp and decorate homemade holiday gift wrap. These activities can be a great opportunity to help young children learn different shapes and colors and help older children express their creativity.

Move Together

Don’t forget to get outside and stay active. Take a walk together after dinner and enjoy the neighborhood’s holiday lights. Take the stairs at the store when you’re doing your holiday shopping. Ride bikes instead of driving to a friend’s house or the park. Got something in the oven for 30 minutes? Use the time to dance! Even during the hectic holiday season, there’s always time to get moving.

Read & Write Together

Put down the remote and the game controllers and pick up a book from the local library. Read holiday classics to your little ones. Encourage younger children to read holiday cards aloud. Introduce your child to a book that was your favorite at his or her age or discover new favorites together.

Don’t forget to provide opportunities for older children to practice their writing, too. Encourage them to write a note in family holiday cards, help make a grocery list, write thank you notes for gifts or keep a holiday journal.

These are just a few ways to keep kids engaged, learning and active during the holiday recess. Clearly, activities don’t have to be complicated or costly. “The most important ingredients,” says Raena, “…are you, your child, and some imagination.”

For interviews with Raena Janes, please call the contacts listed.

For more information about La Paloma Academy, please visit http://www.lpatucson.org. For information about Heritage Elementary School in Glendale, visit http://www.hesglendale.org, and for details about Liberty Traditional Charter School in Phoenix, visit http://www.ltsphoenix.org.

About La Paloma Academy

As the fastest-growing and largest charter school in Southern Arizona, La Paloma continually discovers new, fun and innovative ways to make the educational experience at their schools entertaining and challenging at the same time. In just three short years, La Paloma experienced unprecedented growth, expanding from one campus with 350 students to two campuses with over 1,400 students. In addition to their unbelievable growth, Raena Janes, founder and superintendent, focuses her efforts on education with individualized instruction, incorporation of extracurricular activities and emphasis on the importance of family and community values. La Paloma was awarded the State of Arizona’s 2005 Excellence in Education Award. Ms. Janes was named as one of Tucson’s 40 Under in 2006 and Tucson’s Mentor of the Year in 2008. La Paloma Academy Central Campus is located at 2050 N. Wilmot Rd. and can be reached at 866-6548. Visit the website at http://www.lpatucson.org.

About Heritage Elementary School

Heritage Elementary School, founded in 2002, is one of Glendale’s fastest-growing charter school systems. The tuition-free, character-based charter school is home to three campuses, two in Glendale, one in Williams, and serves students in preschool through eighth grade. Raena Janes, an active advocate for Arizona education and charter schools, is the superintendent of Heritage Elementary School. Visit Heritage Elementary School online at http://www.hesglendale.org.

About Liberty Traditional Charter School

Liberty Traditional Charter School aims to help its students develop both academically and socially through a “character-based curriculum.” In addition to meeting state public school standards, Liberty teaches children to value trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship, and emphasizes community service. Visit Liberty Traditional Charter School online at http://www.ltsphoenix.org.

###

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.