Vacations and Education

When we think of vacations, we generally think of stress relief, health benefits and even about spending quality time with the whole family. However, vacations can also be of high educational value for your kids (and probably even you).

Children learn many things at school. They might find it hard to understand and remember all that they learn from books and classroom lectures. If they actually see or experience the things they learn, however, the understanding and remembrance can increase dramatically.

Think about your kids learning about medieval architecture and life from books, and then from an actual visit to a medieval castle that also contains of museum depicting life in those times. While the children might feel bored reading about unfamiliar things in a book, they are quite likely to be fascinated to actually see the very same things with their own eyes. Visits to a railway museum, or a water mill or other historical venue can help them understand things in an interesting (and lasting) way.

Children might also find it a fascinating and educative experience to visit the houses of authors of children’s books that they have read. They will gain a superior understanding of how these writers lived in an earlier age, and other interesting facts about their favourite people. These kinds of insights cannot but help broaden their perspective.

Enhancing the Learning Experience

It is best to learn about the background of what you visit in advance. With Internet and smartphones, you can even pick up the background on the go. Let children cultivate the habit of effective research by picking up the background and then seeing the actual things.

You can learn about history, wildlife, nature and many other things during your travels. In fact, you can plan your travels to be educational travels by selecting destinations and sights you want your children to learn about. When tours are guided tours with knowledgeable guides explaining the background and significance of what you see, the learning experience becomes even more valuable.

You have to engage actively with the children to ensure that they understand what they see. Prepare them beforehand through books with pictures, laptops, smartphones and even travel guides. Select materials with plenty of pictures that will naturally evoke interest and curiosity in children. Be ready to answer their questions when you are at the actual venues (you might be saved the trouble if a knowledgeable guide is conducting the tour).

Paddock House Farm Holiday Cottages in the Peak District National Park

Paddock House Farm Holiday Cottages located just outside Alstonefield village (in the midst of some of the most beautiful parts of the Peak District National Park) is a great base for helping your children learn about many things. There are several historical castles, a railway museum and several heritage structures to help your children understand history. There is a cycling track that runs along an abandoned railway track which the children might find quite fascinating.

Additionally, they will learn a great deal about nature and countryside life even without any active effort on your part. The cottages are converted farm houses with some of them sporting traditional coal fireplaces.