Do you consider travel acceptable to miss school? (son, insurance, learning)
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In theory, I do believe that kids can get more out of traveling and exposure to people, culture and diversity than they can get sitting in a classroom learning all of that from a book and a teacher. I also think that the logistics of travel are great for kids to learn how to manage - converting currency, public transportation, finding your way around a strange city...
However - practically speaking, missing school for days in a row is a very complicated thing for most kids. It isn't just the homework, quizzes and the tests that have to be made up it is also all of the content that builds upon itself so that missing bits and pieces here and there can lead to difficulties down the road. Additionally, there are complications for sports or music where if a child misses too many practices he can't play in the game or perform in the orchestra concert. Maybe home schooling is a better option that would allow you to supplement the curriculum with travel rather than having to oppose a system where travel might not be as valued.
I think travel is important, and I have pulled my kids out of school for it. FTR, they go to a public school, and I have never had pushback. Some teachers ask them to do a short report or presentation, some have just handed over homework to be done after we return.
We have done it less & less as they got older (my son just graduated from HS, my daughter is just going in to HS). I don't regret a single day of it.
Travel is an incredibly enriching experience for kids if the family can afford it. One other thing to consider as your child gets older is his personality.
Out of my three, all were good students, but one In particular hated missing school and would get extreme anxiety at the thought of it.
In fact the day his baby brother was born, he looked at him and said, “Cute. Can Nana take me to school now?” He just didnt like the hassle of making up work or asking for what he missed.
Travel is an incredibly enriching experience for kids if the family can afford it. One other thing to consider as your child gets older is his personality.
Out of my three, all were good students, but one In particular hated missing school and would get extreme anxiety at the thought of it.
In fact the day his baby brother was born, he looked at him and said, “Cute. Can Nana take me to school now?” He just didnt like the hassle of making up work or asking for what he missed.
Yeah I think the children and their personalities absolutely affect the ability to travel. If he gives pushback about not wanting to travel for school, no problem. We will work around that. If he isn't a good traveler, we will adjust, if he wont sit and do his school work because paris is more fun than math, we will adjust. Life is just a series of adjustments anyway
At age 4, I see no problem. At such a young age he probably won’t remember much. We traveled a lot with our sons during school vacations as well as occasionally during school. When they reached high school they said it was too difficult to miss classes and try to make up the work.
I agree that learning about our own country and other countries is valuable education.
I honestly thank GOD that my parents insisted on taking us out of school in elementary, middle school, and high school to travel and see the world.
I don't remember a single test I missed, tennis match I didn't attend, swim meet and I didn't show up for but I remember standing on the beaches of Normandy with my family, Thanksgiving spent in London, driving across the US to see the Grand Canyon, etc.
I remember everything I saw, I remember every single memory I have traveling with my family but could not tell you what I missed.
When I'm old and on my deathbed, I'll remember kayaking in Lake Tahoe with my sister as kids.
I honestly thank GOD that my parents insisted on taking us out of school in elementary, middle school, and high school to travel and see the world.
I don't remember a single test I missed, tennis match I didn't attend, swim meet and I didn't show up for but I remember standing on the beaches of Normandy with my family, Thanksgiving spent in London, driving across the US to see the Grand Canyon, etc.
I remember everything I saw, I remember every single memory I have traveling with my family but could not tell you what I missed.
When I'm old and on my deathbed, I'll remember kayaking in Lake Tahoe with my sister as kids.
This is what I want. And your parents probably had great memories too!
the only way to afford these trips is with my job. homeschool isn't an option
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