However, I’m not big on waiting and I just didn’t like the idea of having to send away for caterpillars every time I wanted my kids to discover science, learn about their lifecycle and actually become aware of those magnificent creatures around us.

So, as I often do, I decided it do it myself.  How?  Well, a friend had mentioned that the butterflies in her backyard were attracted to curly-leaf parsley.  Done— that’s all I needed to know!  What started out as an experiment has resulted in numerous years of parsley-growing, butterfly-enjoying entertainment.  And the best part is that it never stops.  There aren’t five caterpillars to watch- there are endless amounts throughout the seasons, at least here in Virginia.

During those times, the kids and I eagerly run outside each morning to look for eggs, shout out in wonder at how the fat caterpillars have become and marvel at how much of the lush parsley plants have been eaten down to the nubs.  We then find ourselves searching the underside of our porch and outdoor furniture to locate the ever-mysterious chrysalis.  It’s a daily adventure that we love– not to mention that once we see a butterfly, anywhere, we claim that it must be one of ours!  Proud parents we are.

I was at the store yesterday and spotted seed packets again, to include my ever-beloved curly-leafed parsley (not flat).  So, now it’s your turn.  Get out and sprout your seeds!  My calendar says that Spring will arrive soon.  Let’s get ready.  By the time to warm weather arrives, you will have numerous parsely plants to transfer in order to witness your own children’s delight!

My boys were 3 and 4 years old when we began this adventure.  Five years later we are in full swing of a family tradition.  Go to the store or local farmer’s market.  Plant a little magic, instill the feeling of wonder, gain a new passion and enjoy the excitement.  Let me know how it goes!

Now, how do we take that environment and bring it home?  How can we make our child’s classroom meld into our home life?  Routine is ever important to them, and with a good routine comes results.  So reflect on how you are helping make the most of your routine.  With the rush of daily life, is the time you have with your children quality time?

Here are some simple steps that will foster a learning continuum, lead to discussions at the dinner table, and offer your child to participate in the safety of their own home.  Practice from home is especially important if children don’t have such opportunities to do so at school.  Perhaps they are shy, perhaps there are too many kids in the class, or simply that they are fearful of making a mistake.   As parents, this is our time to provide added momentum in their learning endeavors.  Here are just three easy suggestions to get you started.

1.  Become the student!  Encourage your children to “teach” YOU their current lesson(s) while home.  Raise your hand with age appropriate questions, model how to be respectful to teachers, how to verbalize if you don’t understand, and finally, how to ask for further clarification.  Empower your children with the verbiage, knowledge and skills to question, analyze and reflect on their own studies.  This is where praise and attention to our own children is critical!  They want us to be proud of them, and we need to help them achieve.  They may or may not receive this validation at school, so let’s be sure they get it at home.

The importance of having your children verbalize and explain their studies cannot be stressed enough.  As you have all read and experienced first hand, you retain the most of what you learn when you teach someone else and use that information immediately!  This allows us to make mistakes, analyze what we’ve just done to make corrections, and finally forces us to re-think.   Research estimates that approximately 90%  of learning retention occurs from teaching someone else.  Teachers have a vast amount of material to introduce, review and then test (not to mention the discipline, praise, and management of constant interruptions).  So strengthen what they do at home!

2.  Put up maps in a central area.  You’ll be surprised at how often you look at them if they are ready and easily assessable!  Place a white board in the kitchen area that can be used daily for homework— not scheduling, not a grocery list, or the ever-dreaded to-do list for your spouse!  Younger children can practice their letters numbers, spelling or math concepts.  Older ones can chart or diagram concepts they are studying.  My boys would be happy if my entire wall was a white board!  Leave them a riddle or problem to solve each week.  Make it a place where you gather, reflect and analyze.  With white boards, there is no mess and cleanup is a breeze!

3.  Another great avenue of dialogue is to go online with them.  For older students, visit the site Khan Academy for subject material or perhaps watch one or two quality You Tube videos on core content material each week.  Last week I watched “How fossils are formed” and  “How to change Fahrenheit into Celsius?” Nothing more than 6 minutes in length, but it provided the catalyst for much further discussion.

Maybe you share custody, do not have the luxury of seeing your kids on a daily basis, and want to make the most of your time together.  This is one way to do that!  Have them explain one or two concepts that they are learning.  If they can’t write well, have them draw or diagram it out!  Read up on their subjects so that you are ready to engage them while eating out, watching a movie or trying to make the most of your weekend.

Our kids spend the majority of their day in a school building.  Afterwards, they are engaged in after-school activities for which we want them to participate.  So, if you are sighing with exasperation and reflecting that you only have 2 hours with your kids each night due to work, activities, dinner, bed-time schedules, etc., I understand.  The point is to empower them to show, demonstrate and communicate with you.  Make your environment and time with your children worthy.   I promise, you will be grateful for the quality you gain.

LEGO Club

So you wish your child’s school had a Lego Club, a Chess Club or even offered some type of summer camp? Some of these ideas are extremely easy and virtually free to implement, whereas a summer camp is more detailed and costly, but definitely worthy of effort!

It takes all kinds of individuals to make any one of these happen. Where do you fit in? Are you the take-charge kind of person, the dependable worker who likes to work behind the scenes, or the silent helper for whom things would not get done if it weren’t for you? Identify and begin.

Take your ideas to those that know how to get the ball rolling. For example, lets say you want an after-school Lego Club for your child’s classroom. Talk to the administration about your plan to ensure you have a green light to proceed. Take a survey of how many students are interested. Start with a small number of students to keep it manageable. Offer to only one classroom to begin.

Now, who will teach the class? There are endless lesson plans and ideas from which to follow. Go online or begin to network for donations (Legos, chess boards, etc). Find the parent or individual who is tech savvy and have them search and post as well. I received 5 large garbage bags full of Legos from a teen who was cleaning out his room and wanted to rid himself of his “little toys” due to an online post.  Meet with the teacher to see what day you could use the classroom or perhaps the library. Set up a limited number of meeting dates (say 5 weeks, every Tuesday). If it’s a success and you want to expand, brilliant! You have now implemented a new program, offered a creative outlet for students, and provided new learning opportunities for your school with limitless expansion!

2013 is the year to make things happen! Providing your kids with new opportunities and tapping into your own energy and talent makes everyone’s world a bit brighter!