expand their world?

[kathymuggle]

I sometimes feel DD's world is a little small.  

She goes to a community centre for drama, is in brownies and a is babysat one day a week with a homeschool friend.  We try for a fieldtrip every two weeks or so and travel occasionally.  Lots of time with siblings and some with extended family.

Her day to day activities, though, seem very quiet and not particularly mind expanding.  A typical day will involve tv, computer, some academic type work (today was reading and math).  She does go on craft kicks - but at the moment she is on a TV kick.  Sigh.   Darn Netflix.  

I think she needs more richness in her life and I am looking for ideas on how to get there.

One would be to insist on some outdoor time per day and another would be to limit tv.  I don't know if these add richness, but they may allow space for her to add something in.

So...I don't think we are doing too badly, but I do think we could try to add some richness to her life.   i would prefer to do it in a way that did not involve more formal activities.  Brownies and drama is enough in that regard - and honestly, those things  are Ok but not brilliant.  it may be that there is not brilliant stuff out there for the 8 yr old set.  

So - what are your btdt?  If you felt your child's life was a little small - how did you help to expand it?  

[SweetSilver]

I feel a bit like you do, but not so much that I stress about it.  While the family might unschool, I am *always* on the lookout for something to do.  I'm with you on the scheduled activities.  But I've set aside a day that has some ongoing stuff--Tuesday.  A local prairie restoration group has regular work parties that day.  A homeschool group meets at the park.  The pool has open swim.  Kids' yoga in town near the farmers' market.  Or not.  Maybe just stay home.  Recently we saw some railroad guys working on the railroad and my youngest asked what they were doing.  We didn't have time to stop right then, but I promised the girls that we could stop if we weren't on a schedule.  So, some days we'll leave a bit earlier.  Two days ago we ended up with an hour to spare and played at their favorite park.  Met a man with 3 dogs.  We asked if they were a special kind of dog.  Coon hounds, hunting dogs.  What do they hunt?  They are trained to chase bear and cougar up a tree.  Yikes!  Don't worry, he thought that kind of game was too dangerous.  We met a worker from Dept of Fish & Wildlife to ask about the hatchery fish.  DD2 didn't want to ask her (very good) question, so I demonstrated to her how it was done.  What was he doing there?  (Her question.)  What were the 2 tanks for?  They close one off at a time.  What was the shaved ice for?  Packing the kill-spawned fish for processing into food.  And onward.... 

     When we drive to gymnastics, I let them decide which way to go.  Ask if they want to drive to the next town to ride bikes around a track.  Or maybe something else.  They know what's out there.

[Tjej]

I find that spending more time outdoors, especially in more wild places ( besides the park with the playground equipment) does for us what you seem to be looking for.

Tjej

[greenacresmama]

No 8 yr old here, but I have some in my life and I remember well my little HS niece, she is 13 now. She was beginning her crafty stages then, big into jewelry. She got into 4-H and that has been a big deal too. She does a lot and her mom kind of kick starts it I have noticed. Does she like to dress up? Would there be any history lessons that she might like to dress up into? I think outside is a wonderful idea. I think going out there is fun at this age! She could put very pretty leaves into books for pressing, help decorate the house with what inspires here, tracing, etc. Maybe even getting inspired to collect acorns and watching a squirrel pig out! Lots to do.. not sure how it is around your home. If I were to add richness without another program I would try to ride on her imagination. Also, sometimes I think it helps to throw parties! You have a nice age group to do this. You could try to even plan a surprise party. I would beg a friend to shop it for you. I just saw a mad scientist party. You could  other themes too. I was thinking about this today.. I had to shop for a loved one so I could not spend, but I almost bought a lot of costumes..... I would love to bring them out on a wintery day and surprise my kids like that.... Another thought is a star party... you make a point to watch the stars and make star cookies, maybe have some star punch-outs (stamp die cuts) sprinkled on the table.. maybe once you pop open the day, you could ask her to help you make some decor. Good luck! 

[OkiMom]

No 8 year old here either but quite a few of my friends have their children start volunteering at that age. Its great lesson and it helps the children to see beyond themselves and their home.

[octobermom]

My DD is 8 as well

 Activity wise

1) homeschooling co-op 2 times a week for 2 hours each grouped with 5 other kids ages 6-9

2) gynastics class 1 time a week 1 hour about 20 other kids multiple ages

3) brownies every other week 

4) 4h clubs she is in horseless training and sewing meeting 1 a month and activity times varry lots of interaction multiple ages..

5) Sunday school 3rd grade class 

We also have a specific liabary day and a movie night.. Our local liabary has movie nights, Wii days, and arts activites she often attends

as the wether cools (were still well in the 100s) we take more oppurnuity to take school outside to parks and enjoy more out door activities.. and honestly I'll insisit she jsut go out play and meet kids in the neighboor hood more. We moved to our current house in March there are TONS of families here but she hasn't met many both because of HS and because its just been too darn hot to get out.

 Its been hard to limit some things because of the weather I have no desire to be outdoors in 104 carrying a toddler or worse chasing one but I still do find our days run best if I do have some limits.. They are painfully small though basically no TV computer unless part of our school from 10-2pm you must be up dressed and fed before anythign is turned on.. days schooling including handwriting and spelling practice completed before computer or TV time Chores done before computer time as well..9pm all media goes off... Even with this she still has on aveage like 3-5 hours of avaiable media time way way way more thna she needs but will often take..

Deanna

[rutabega]

I would say time in the woods, too.   If that is something that you don't think she'd find enriching right off the bat (demonstrated by her looking around and thinking that there is nothing to do), you might try these avenues:

1.  Fairy Houses.  If you haven't already seen it, Tracy Kane's "Fairy House" books are gorgeous and inspiring, showing what can be done with common things found in different locations.  For instance, in the woods one finds bark, twig, moss, pinecones, acorns and other nuts, leaves, berries, stones, mushrooms...

2.  Birds.  Bird migration season is upon us again, and this would be a great time to try out some bird watching.  There's almost certainly a group in your area that does outings, but you can of course do your own.  Binoculars, a bird identification book, and a notebook are all that are needed.  Handy to have a recording of bird songs at home, too.

3.  Trees.  A tree identification book is a good start.  What trees in your woods are native?  Which were introduced from other areas of the world?  What are their uses?  What's the difference between a deciduous and a coniferous tree?  How old is that pine tree?  How old was this dead tree?    Of course, one can do the same with flowers and other plants.

[kathymuggle]

To expand on your idea -

-  photography!  I think she would get a real kick out taking pictures and playing with them on image software

-scavenger hunts (probably better with a friend)

-big chalk.

I do like the idea of fairy houses,a nd it could tie in very nicely with art maijng - which she loves.

I have been suggesting she go outside more - but honestly, expecting her to do so without perhaps giving her some ideas of what to do outside has been somewhat futile.  Baby steps.  

Some of it might come down to not have many kids her age around here to play with- particularly during the day.

Do any of you have kids that entertain themselves easily outdoor without playmates?

[rutabega]

I wish I could say I had a child who entertained himself easily outdoors, but so far that hasn't been the case.  As long as there are other kids to play with, he's great and it takes a lot to get him indoors!  He's just not the solitary tree-climber that I was at that age (then again, we don't have a suitable tree in our back yard).

The photography idea is a great one.  It could also be a good way of documenting any fairy houses she makes.  Or maybe she'd be interested in trying some environmental art a la Andy Goldsworthy (see http://www.goldsworthy.cc.gla.ac.uk/ for some examples), which would also be cool.

[SweetSilver]

My girls want me outside, but they are otherwise happy playing by themselves.....mmmmmostly.  Camera=good idea.  My 6.5yo gets inspired to go outside and take pictures of whatever.  (And inside, too, of course.)  She took the picture for my little avatar there on the left. 

[rebirth]

How about occasional classes? As a child that was so enriching for me. Local free one off events are great... Concerts, movies in the park etc.

Blogs often have great ideas, so that is a good outlet. She can find some cool projects etc

[savithny]

Read "Last Child in the Woods."    Then insist on outdoor time.  If she balks, find ways you might do it together?

It doesn't take much outside time to truly expand their worlds in ways that TV, internet, etc just can't do.   It doesn't need to be structured, or "name and study this,"  -- in fact, unstructured time is also really improtant. 

[Aeress]

Expanding their world can also include expanding their ideas, thoughts and perceptions- what about visiting various churches, volunteer with a group, or see if there is any programs that help little people connect with retired people.