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Latest Teachers Article

Every month throughout the school year our teachers provide an informative and useful article for parents. Here you will find the latest published article.

Teachers Article May 2009

It is hard to believe but we are coming to the end of another school year. It seems like just a few days ago that you were bundling your children up and sending them to school. All too soon we will have to say good-bye for the summer. Although school is over there are many fun, wonderful, and free things that you can do with your child to enrich your summer.

LIBRARIES:

•  As all of you know reading to your child can be such a rich experience. Not only do books encourage your child to imagine or teach your child about new and exciting things, but reading books to your child lays the foundation for early literacy and beginning reading strategies. Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/ and check out the story time at your local library. You can even register for special events on line. Also, Fairfax County libraries have a special summer reading program. You need to get a form from your librarian to record books that you read to your child. When you read the total amount to your child turn the form in and your child will get a coupon book for all sorts of goodies.

NATURE CENTERS:

•  All of us had a fabulous time at Hidden Pond last month seeing the animals, checking out the wildlife in the pond, and playing on the playground. This is just one of the many fascinating public parks in Fairfax County and Arlington County. Hidden Oaks in Annandale, Huntley Meadows in Alexandria, and Long Branch in Arlington, are just a few others that have wildlife to look at, activities for children to do that are hands on and trails to walk along. These parks also offer special events for children that do cost between $5 and $12. Some of the special events are age specific and others are for the entire family. To learn more about these special events check out the following websites www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ and www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/nature/ParksRecreationScriptsNatureNature.aspx

SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS:

•  Of course we also have the Smithsonian downtown in Washington, D.C. The key to a positive experience at a museum with young children is to pick one or two exhibits that you all want to explore. Don't try to see the whole museum or you will probably feel frazzled. The Natural History Museum has an Insect Room where the children can see live insects, talk to bug specialist and touch a few insects. There is a fascinating butterfly habitat to walk through, however there is a charge. The American History Museum has been totally revamped and is a great way to bring history to children. They have a “Spark! Lab” for children to do hands-on science and invention activities in. The Air and Space Museum speaks for itself. Remember that this museum also has a satellite museum near Dulles with many full-size rockets and an air traffic control tower. Parking at the museum near Dulles is not free.

•  There are wonderful art museums associated with the Smithsonian that are perfect for taking children to. The key here is to not to try to look at everything. If you go to the Smithsonian American Art Museum try to pick a theme – like looking for boats. This focuses the child's attention and makes it more meaningful. If you go to the Hirshhorn Museum you might pick a different theme – like find the art made out of recyclables. Also, the sculpture garden in front of the Hirshhorn is a fun place for children to explore modern art. Or go to the National Museum of African Art and learn about art from Africa and its influence.

•  A visit to the National Museum of the American Indian will provide your child a look at the living cultures and history of the native people of North America, South America and Central America.

GARDENS:

•  Traditional gardens are perfect places for children to run around and explore. In Alexandria there is Green Spring Gardens with a variety of garden types. The Botanical Gardens near the Capitol building on the Mall in D.C. includes a large tropical atrium and a garden for children to explore textures and other sensory things. There is the wonderful National Arboretum east of Union Station on New York Avenue, where children can see bonsai trees there that are hundreds of years old.

MUSIC:

•  We are so fortunate to have many communities which provide music for us to introduce our children to. Reston Town Center and Fairfax Corner have summer music concerts on most Saturdays during the summer. Herndon has Music Under the Stars June 20 th , Jul 18 th , and August 15 th at the Herndon Town Green. All of these music events are free and for the whole family.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

•  The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held on the Mall in D.C. every year. This year it is June 24 – 28 and July 1 – 5. There are many hands on activities for children to participate in as they learn about different cultures. There are performers from the different countries, as well as fun food to eat that comes from the different communities. This year Las Americas and Wales are the regions highlighted. Except for the food, everything else is free at the festival. To learn more visit www.festival.si.edu/ .

•  Celebrate Fairfax is an event in Fairfax County that has many different components, including the usual carnival fare. There is a section usually near the government center that highlights the different divisions of the county government. Each division has a booth to learn more about that division and fun hands-on activities and freebies for children. For example, in the past, the public school booth lets children get on a bus and children walk away with a free book. There are other presentations that the children would enjoy like Reptiles Alive, etc. Go to www.celebratefairfax.org/index.asp to learn more. There is an entrance fee for this event.

•  The Alexandria Waterfront Festival is in June. The American Red Cross sponsors this event featuring historic tall ship tours, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and a children's sea hunt adventure.

AND MORE . . .

•  These are just some of the enriching things that you can do with your children this summer. Of course, going into your backyard or the neighborhood playground or park can be just the opportunity that your child needs to explore the world, make a friend, or learn something new.

Have a fun and safe summer!