Travel as an Education in Itself

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“Experience, travel. These are an education in themselves.” —Euripides

Few experiences can offer an education as whole as traveling. Rather than feel guilty or ashamed the next time you take your children away from their classroom in favor of a family adventure, pat yourself on the back and recognize the educational benefits at hand.

To fully capitalize on the learning opportunities inherent in traveling, take time before and during your trip to explore different aspects of the places you visit. Reading or watching documentaries about your destination ahead of your departure will enhance your experience.

Here are some facets to focus on:

Geography

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First things first—take out a map or a globe, and make sure your children know where you’re going, and its relation to your home and the rest of the world. Explore and discuss the climate and terrain there. Are you headed to the mountains, the coast, the city, the plains? Are there natural land masses or bodies of water to take note of? Is your destination in a different time zone, climate, or hemisphere? Simply looking at a map can inspire curiosity and many learning opportunities.

Animals and Nature

Your map discussion may very likely lead you to a discussion about nature and animals. Might you see a waterfall, a bear, a whale, a glacier? Even the youngest of children become excited about the possibility of seeing a new animal. What a wonder to explore the many aspects of nature around our globe. A checklist can make this extra fun.

History

Whether you’re heading to Machu Picchu or Disney World, every place has a history. Look for age-appropriate content to explore that history with your children. Visiting The White House, for example, takes on even greater significance if your children have watched documentaries about it being built, know that John Adams was the first president to reside there, that it suffered great damage in a fire during the War of 1812, and that it has been refurbished under numerous subsequent presidencies. It’s not simply where the current president lives, but tells the tale of U.S. leadership through time.

Food

People have lunch at a restaurant in Paris. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

No matter where you and your family find yourselves, the local cuisine speaks volumes about the place you’re visiting. In anticipation of your trip, get your family excited to try the foods your destination is known for. Whether you'll be tasting gelato in Rome, beignets in New Orleans, baguettes in Paris, or chocolate in Brussels, your appreciation for the experience will be enhanced simply by appreciating the city’s claim-to-fame foods.

Additionally, understanding the local cuisine and noting its relation to the local climate and natural resources will turn every meal into a learning experience.

Important People

Biographies are another great way to deepen your understanding of a place. One might balk at the idea of a Disney vacation being educational, but the story of Walt Disney—his life and his ability to create— is inspiring. If you’re visiting the Lincoln Memorial, make sure your children know who Abraham Lincoln was. If you’re visiting Versailles, dive into the life of Louis XIV.

Art and Music

New York's first all-female Mariachi band. In terms of music, New York offers a wide range of performers from around the globe. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

What fun it is to explore the art and music of an area. If you’re headed to a major city such as New York, of course, the study could be endless. Focus on what you plan to see or hear, and dive into that. Most places, though, can be defined by specific styles, such as blues in Memphis, or classical music of Vienna, or chapel paintings in Rome.

Culture and Customs

Setting off to a different place where traditions, languages, customs, landscapes, and attire are different is eye-opening and educational in a way that a week or two of school can’t compare with.

Wherever you’re going, take the time to truly learn and experience all that a place has to offer you and your family. Your children are sure to remember these lessons for a lifetime.