Most people, who don’t know me well, may not know that my summer days were spent outdoors. Every day in the summer the neighborhood kids and I would go outside and play. We played baseball, using a tennis ball so we didn’t break any windows, played tag, and rode skateboards from the time we woke up until our parents made us come in at dark.
I played Little League Baseball; it was fast pitch baseball back then, not softball. We practiced and played games almost every day of the week. We also spent many days at the neighborhood swimming pool. I was thinking about these fun summer days the other day when I noticed a few girls riding their bikes up and down the street. Unfortunately, it was the only kid activity I had seen on our street since we moved in months ago.Have the fun activities that I enjoyed as a child disappeared or have they been replaced with new activities? I’m not sure, but I truly hope that parents this summer will encourage their children to get out of the house and play! I have so many memories of these fun-filled days outside.I also think of how creative we were, we were always coming up with new ways to keep busy. We could make a game out of anything. We would find a crack and see who could jump over it the most. We would find a rock and see who could throw another rock to see who could get the closest to the first rock. Many of my friends and family think I might be a bit too competitive, but I’m not sure about that. Nowadays I can be found out on the tennis courts, I still love to play, and I have shared my love of tennis with my daughter. When she is around I have someone to play with!
I also spent time in the summer at the local library. My mother always made sure we made it to the library at least once or twice a week. I developed a love of stories, and I always looked forward to summertime fun reading! I still have my love of stories, and I still love the feel of a book in my hand. Many of my friends have tried to convince me to try reading on a device, but I prefer a print book, although I do need a little larger print now.There are so many choices for children during the summer, I hope you will encourage your children to find something they love and enjoy.
About the author
Sandy Stabenfeldt is currently the ICAM Digital Services Specialist after spending 15 years as a PATINS Coordinator. She has been with the PATINS Project since 2001. Sandy's experience in the field of Assistive Technology(AT) and Accessible Educational Materials(AEM) combined with her background in Education enable her to produce solutions for both teachers and students. Sandy enjoys working in the classroom and especially with all students to help them to succeed and to meet their potential. Sandy is a presenter and trainer at the national, state, and regional levels as well as small local groups or in the classroom.
Comments 2
Thanks for sharing Sandy It brought back some of my outdoor times as a kid growing up on a small farm with 4 brothers. We were always outside by 7 a.m. and then called back in for the night after we caught a few fireflies. I hope kids get to enjoy being kids this summer. There is no better way than being outside in your own backyard/neighborhood.
Thanks Sandy. I sometimes worry about kids now, so tied to their devices that they are bored without one. I too was outside beginning the day after school was out. Me and one or two of my girlfriends would pack a lunch and leave on horseback, we had to be home by dark. We explored woods and creeks, caught critters, let them go, rode on. And I enjoyed days visiting cousins who lived in town, the bike races, the ballgames, the ice cream truck. I hope kids will unplug this summer and play.