Cure cabin fever: Keep kids involved in activities

Parents can liven up Christmas break with their children by combining learning opportunities with everyday activities.

As family members cook favorite holiday treats and dishes, children can apply their math and reading skills learned from school into practical application.

“Just the time of being with family and doing practical things like cooking and purchasing items students can integrate math and reading skills into those day-to-day activities,” said Teresa Bagwell, St. Mary Parish School System Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

“Rather than do it alone, parents can have the kids make some decisions, ask them what would they do, which one of these would you buy.”

Bagwell believes it’s important for children to actively participate, not just sit around watching someone else do something.

For instance “when the family is cooking, they can encourage the kids to look at measurement, say measure ingredients into something,” Bagwell said.

As it relates to the experience of shopping and comparing prices, children can look at “advertisements, coupons, and incorporate shopping strategies you normally think about as an adult,” she said.

Extended learning opportunities or family field trips are available in St. Mary Parish. Cajun Coast Destination Content & Communications Manager Jean McCorkle suggests the following places to shake up the monotony of winter break cabin fever:

—Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Mill Museum (Patterson): This Louisiana State Museum highlights the legacy of Louisiana aviation pioneers Jimmie Wedell and Harry P. Williams. They formed an air service in Patterson around 1928. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

—Chitimacha Museum (Charenton): The museum preserves and promotes the heritage of southern Louisiana’s original inhabitants. Exhibits document tribal lifestyles, customs and ceremonies. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

—Cajun Jack’s Swamp Tour (Patterson): The tour provides a “unique” access to the southern area of the Atchafalaya Basin, featuring bayous, lakes and channels. Tours are available twice daily at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

—Everett Street Gallery (Morgan City): The gallery is a public showcase and art education venue featuring the work of artists in various media. It is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

—Bayou Teche Wildlife Refuge (Franklin and Centerville): Opportunities are available to watch birds and other wildlife, or take pictures. A boardwalk in Centerville is available for walking and hiking.

—International Petroleum Museum (Morgan City): The museum, also known as The Rig Museum, educates the public about the significance of the offshore oil and gas industry. There is an actual oil rig on site for visitors. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other activities for fun in the area are putt-putt golf in Bayou Vista and skate parks located in Morgan City, Bayou Vista and Franklin.

The school district provides online learning activities available during Christmas break for students in grades 1 through 12. Activity links can be accessed through district and school websites.

Elementary and middle school kids can participate in a program called MobyMax, Bagwell said. It has math games, reading and science activities.

“All kids have their own log-in to the system,” she said.

Students also have access to read books online through MyOn, which is available through their school’s website.

High school students have access to ACT preparation materials available online. It’s a matter of logging in, Bagwell said.

Resources are available online for parents on the district’s website page titled parents.

“The bottom line is: Parents, do something with your kids,” Bagwell said. “Get them active, not just being the bystander, watching you do something. Let them measure out the milk.”