My husband is out of town this weekend so it's just me and my two year old at home on a rainy weekend in Tokyo. When Michael is here on the weekends, we often head out on adventures to random spots in Tokyo. But, this weekend, Madeline and I stayed pretty close to home--the rain being one factor, the daunting subway/road systems being the second. This low-key weekend, got me thinking about the experiences we normally have on the weekends and how valuable those experiences are to us and our daughter. Most of these outings cost very little in terms of yen, but have a big payout in terms of enjoyment.
Because I'm in Tokyo for only a few years, I often feel like a tourist here. I go places and see things that I would never have done in New York. In New York, I never went to the Bronx Zoo or to a park besides Central Park and Riverside Park. I never made it to the Statue of Liberty or to the Aquarium in Brooklyn...and I lived in New York City for NINE years! But, here in Japan, we do the Tokyo-equivilent of these outings and they have all been so enriching to our lives here and our family interaction.
So, this got me thinking about a typical school classroom and how a teacher can help his or her students have fulfilling and educational family experiences on the weekend in their own city. Has anyone ever given their students a list of places to visit with their families on the weekend or encouraged their students to go on family outings? I feel like many families get stuck in the routine of errands and obligations on the weekend and don't set aside the few hours to get out there and have wonderful experiences with their kids. Perhaps with some teacher encouragement (and rewards...say, extra credit?) and a succinct list of options, students can have more fulfilling weekends and better experiences with their own families.
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