Children may be on summer vacation, but that doesn't mean they should lounge in front of the TV for the next two months, local educators say.

From family activities to trips to the public library, local educators and Jack O'Connell, the state superintendent of public instruction, have a variety of ideas for keeping children active and learning during the off-school period.

"It's like anything else: If you don't use it you are going to lose it," said April Silva, a teacher at John F. Kennedy Junior High School, of knowledge of basic facts and foundations of education.

The economic downturn has eliminated the option of travel for some families this summer.

"This is a tough year for families because rising costs are forcing many of us to stay close to home and look for free or inexpensive things to do," O'Connell said. "But, it's a perfect time to take a step back from our daily routines, bond with our kids and explore new activities that will keep children active and engaged in learning during the summer months."

According to the state department of education, the learning gap widens between middle- and low-income students during the summer and has a cumulative effect over the elementary school grades.

Below are O'Connell's tips, along with additions from local educators:

l Turn off the television and computer and play outside, and encourage your children to join a city league to play sports like baseball or swimming, O'Connell said. He added that physical activity helps prevent childhood obesity, and teamwork teaches children about the values of helping, sharing, listening, respecting and participating.

Paul Terry, superintendent of Hanford Elementary School District, agreed.

"The main thing is making sure our kids are reading and trying to stay away from the TV as much as possible," Terry said. "Keep kids involved in activities that expand learning."

* Get puzzled: play Sudoku or Scrabble with your children, O'Connell said. These types of activities encourage children to think and solve problems. Sudoku puzzles and Scrabble are available on the Web or in bookstores and game stores.

* Collect stamps, coins, or other historical items, O'Connell said. Encourage children to start a collection that may spur their interest to research facts about their hobby, he added.

* Start a journal, diary, or scrapbook, because these types of activities encourage children to write, organize their thoughts, and spur creativity, O'Connell said.

* Make plans: Let your children help you schedule your day, plan a meal, or assign chores. This helps children structure their activities and learn to meet deadlines.

Terry added that any healthy family activity is beneficial to child development. Terry suggested day trips to Yosemite, Burris Park or the coast, to expose children to different environments. Something as simple as good conversation around the dinner table can help keep children engaged, Terry said.

* Take children grocery shopping, because adding up the grocery bill helps them practice their math skills, O'Connell said. Let them choose the fruits and vegetables to teach them how to make healthy choices, he added.

James Shaver, county education director of curriculum and instruction, said that grocery shopping has a "wealth of opportunities" for parents to question and teach their children about prices and price comparisons. Once home from the grocery store, teaching children to follow a recipe leads to lessons in math, nutrition and measuring, Shaver said.

* Set aside time each day to read, O'Connell said. Read the newspaper with your children or find them a good book at the library, because reading keeps their minds active and engaged and ready to learn when they go back to school, he added. The California Department of Education has a recommended literature database at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/ll/ap/litsearch.asp.

Shaver agreed.

"Reading is an inexpensive way for kids to keep their minds active," Shaver said. He added that children should be encouraged to get outside and invent their own games and clubs, along with building forts and treehouses.

* Encourage children to create their own job, O'Connell said. Children can pet-sit, baby-sit, house-sit, or take care of your neighbors' plants while they are on vacation. These activities help children learn about responsibility and financial literacy. The American Red Cross offers training for baby-sitters.

* Encourage your children to help some elderly neighbors or a charitable organization, O'Connell said. Volunteering activities help children learn about sacrifice and good citizenship. Find volunteer opportunities at http://www.californiavolunteers.org/families.asp.

* An easy way to retain math skills over the summer is practicing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division math facts, Silva said. She suggested Web sites like AAAmath.com, which has math problems for all grade levels, and Aplusmath.com, which features flashcards, games and printable worksheets.

(June 21, 2008)