Activities you can do to help your child learn...

• Make tonight a 'No TV' night with your family. Ask your child to help select games or stories, and spend some quality time with them.

• Help boost your child's self-esteem. Take pride in their achievements and accomplishments today and every day.

• Put on a history play with your child today. Help them learn about important events in world history or even your own family history.
• Make learning to write letters and numbers fun for your child. Roll playdough or clay into long thin worms and ask them to create letters and numbers.

• Ask your child to help make lunch today. They can pick a spot in the park so that you can share lunch together.

• Take the family out to a water park today. Help your child put on sunscreen and explain the importance of protecting their skin.

• Go to the park and take a nature hike with your child today. Ask them to point out different animals and what they need to survive (i.e. food, shelter etc.)

• Encourage your child to make a 'to do' list today. Help them make a list of things that they would like to accomplish tomorrow, then check the items once completed.

• Visit a community pool with your child today. Go for a dip to cool off on a hot day.

• Take your child shopping for school supplies. Ask them to brainstorm a list of things that they will need for school.

• Help your child make a kite today. They can decorate it and fly it at the park.

• Teach your child about recycling. Show them how to recycle items such as paper, glass and aluminium.

• Take your child to a petting zoo today. Ask them to draw pictures of the animals that they saw today.

• Visit the library with your child today. Encourage them to borrow books about a different country, and learn about the people, cultures, and customs of that country.

• On a rainy day, set up a tent with your child in the living room. They can pretend to be a forest ranger.

• Help your child practice their math skills. Ask them to add up all the change in your pocket or purse today.

• Teach your child about the importance of preserving nature. Help them plant a tree in the yard and explain how littering harms the environment.

• On a large piece of construction paper, help your child write their name vertically. Using each letter, help them write words that describe their personality.

• Make car trips fun for your child. Play a game and ask them to point out license plates billboards and interesting road signs.

• Tell your child that you love them today and every day.

• Help your child create and design their own phone book . Make a list of their friends names and phone numbers.

• How much does your child know about their family history? On a map trace where your family is from and help them create a family tree.

• Help your child write a letter to a grandparent or friend today. Explain the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones.

• Get your child back in 'school mode'. Ask them to research a famous painter on the Internet. Get out the paint and let them express themselves through art.

• Teach your child about textures today. Ask them to find objects outdoors that are smooth, shiny, slimy or round.

• Suggest that your child write a poem for a friend today. They can mail it to them for a back to school present.

• Encourage your child to make journal entries and keep track of their experiences in a new grade this coming school season.

• Have a back to school party for some of your child's friends.

• Help your child prepare for school. Talk to them about setting personal goals this year.