Travel hints
Travelling Hopefully
Jillian Harker (reprinted from Montessori Education)
If a little time and energy are spent beforehand in some careful planning, the experience of travelling with children can prove a rewarding one for all concerned. While we need to take physical comfort into account, it's also important to devote some thought to what is most likely to keep your children occupied during lengthy periods of sitting or waiting.
Advance planning
As a precaution, talk with your GP or pharmacist about suitable travel sickness remedies Allow more time than you think you will need for the journey. Unpredictable delays can occur, and no-one needs the stress of a last-minute dash to reach a destination on time It's worth trying to make your journey as comfortable as possible. If you're taking one of the longer channel ferries by day, booking a cabin will give you flexibility and space for play, rest and eating Plan activities for the children en route
Before leaving
With younger children it's wise to prepare your own food for the journey. You're assured of having things you know the children will enjoy and you don't risk a lengthy search for a suitable place to eat Dress children in loose comfortable clothing. Layers that can be removed or replaced as necessary are a good idea Check that your child has her favourite teddy, soft toy or comforter Make sure that baby wipes and tissues are within reach. These are useful even when children are beyond the infant stage All necessities for the journey should be packed in one or two bags and kept readily accessible. You'll need to take it with you on a plane or ferry. A rucksack will leave your hands free to deal with children
In the car
Make regular stops Keep meals small and frequent Try to ensure that young children are shaded from the sun. Sun blinds attached by suction cups to the window can prevent a child from becoming uncomfortable and miserable Don't let children who are susceptible to travel sickness read or draw in the car. Play games which encourage them to look around An empty ice cream tub with lid is useful in case of sickness Have a bag ready for rubbish. A journey surrounded by debris is not a pleasurable experience
On arrival
It may seem rather premature to be thinking of the return journey but it's wise to check out the station or terminal. It is better to be prepared than to assume you can rely on facilities being available.
Activities for the journey
Give some thought to the versatility and entertainment value of any toys included for the journey. Avoid games with tiny pieces which can easily get lost. A well chosen selection should provide many hours of peaceful travelling from no more than the contents of a carrier bag.
Very tiny children will find limited entertainment in scenery passing at speed. They need a selection of favourite toys within reach but are also inclined to drop them rather frequently. Tie a line of string across the car from one door hanger to the other. A shorter length of string attached to each toy will allow you to peg up a few toys at a time and to change them when boredom sets in. They will remain accessible even when the child lets go of them.
At their best word games keep everyone alert and encourage children to observe what is going on around them. They require no extra luggage and can involve the whole family. Some which work well are: Rhyming I Spy - a variation on the old favourite (I spy....something rhyming with socks - answer: box) Word Chains - the first player starts with any word; each person adds a new word which links back to the previous one. Try to become the winner by completing the circle (house, roof, chimney, smoke, flame, candle, birthday, party, hats, coat, hooks, hall, house) Interesting initials - challenge children to use the letters from the registration plates of passing cars to work out who the occupants of a car might be. It may be helpful to sound out letters for younger children. RHH could be Ronald and his Hairy Hamster; Valerie and her Handsome Tarantula could be the passing car's VHT plate. Where and Why - a variation on Interesting Initials. Choose the destination and reason for journey: ADF could contain a couple off to Argentina to Dance the Fandango
Tape cassettes of stories and music can be a great help in keeping children amused. While there are plenty available commercially (and don't forget the library) you could also try recording your child's favourite story yourself and providing this as a surprise; or persuade grandparents to record a message to be heard en route.
With time and ingenuity you could create your own listening game by recording a tape of everyday sounds (tap running, chopping vegetables, door closing, dog barking, kettle boiling, Dad laughing. Make a board with drawings, or stuck on pictures, of the different sounds and ask the children to mark them off as they hear them.
Magic slates are cheap to buy. The simple slide mechanism cleans the slate for re-use. Children can draw their own pictures, use it as a tally board for spotting games - first to spot five church spires etc. Or play Drawing the Line: one player (adult or a second child) thinks of an object and, without revealing it, gives step by step instructions to another to draw it. Instructions for a house might be: draw a square; now put a triangle on top of the square; draw four small squares inside the big square; draw a rectangle halfway along the bottom of the square. This game encourages logical thinking and clear expression and, incidentally, provides a great deal of fun if the outcome doesn't match the intention.
Use simple draw string bags to provide a number of different games (for younger children an elasticated neck to the bag may be easier to manage).
Provide yourself with an A5 envelope filled with a selection of small items of different textures: a piece of cotton wool, kitchen foil, a square of bubble wrap, an eraser, a feather, a pencil. Put one item in the bag at a time and ask the child to put in their hand and feel it. Use cue questions: is it hard or soft, rough or smooth, can you bend it, can you guess what it is?
Place several magnetic fridge letters, or soft plastic letters, in the bag. The child chooses one letter and, from its feel, guesses which it is before pulling it out. Can she spot something beginning with that letter sound? Alternatively use the letters to play Let's send a Postcard: each player pulls out a letter and chooses a favourite character whose name begins with that letter: a "p" might be "When we arrive let's send a postcard to Postman Pat"; a "d" might be "When we arrive let's send a doughnut to Donald Duck".
Plastic numbers can be used in a similar way. Feel and guess, then check the number out. Blue 6? Now the whole family can try to spot six blue objects.
For the return journey home small items collected on the holiday are placed in the bag (a shell, piece of seaweed, pine cone, postcard). Each person takes an item from the bag in turn and begins its story with "I remember this because it was when...." Other family members can add their contribution.
What could be better than sharing a homeward journey sharing happy memories?