Penang ninjas -Experiential learning

As the weather turns cold in Adelaide, my best advice for how to keep the kids entertained is simple.  Leave the country - chase the sun!

For the last decade we have managed to schedule family holidays early July to evade the worst of winter,  this year we head to Mexico.

Yes the kids take time off school, yes I get the letter every year from the Dept of Education about how detrimental it is for children to miss school. Do I think Miss Six or Master Nine are disadvantaged for missing those winter days in school - No.

What I do think is they are receiving an education in life, culture and the world that simply can’t be taught in a class room.

Take for example a trip to Penang.  A heavily muslim populated country, Miss Five thought she was surrounded by Ninjas before I explained to her that the Burkha is a traditional dress for women.

Later that trip I heard her further educate her brother who was edging on the Ninja comment before she corrected him explaining “No, they are not Ninjas that is what the Muslim women wear in Penang.”

Or a trip to the batlefields of Long Tan where we were fortunate enough to hear first-hand from a veteran visiting the site who had personally fought on the day. Upon returning to school Master Eight proudly retold the experience to his young teacher who looked at me blankly - Battle of What??

There is something to be said for experiential learning, the world is a big place and I am encouraging my children to explore it, even if it does mean missing a few weeks of school in the winter.

Penny Reidy - ITCHY FEET FAMILY

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