Children Needn’t Go from School Days to Summer Daze

Take Advantage of the Many Summer Learning Opportunities Available in Central Indiana By John Brandon



This is the time of the year when lots of folk’s minds turn to planning how they and their children will spend their summer vacation. To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. This is especially true during the summer months. Many of us have an image of summer as a carefree, happy time when “kids can be kids,” and take for granted the prospect of enriching experiences such as summer camps and family trips to museums, parks and libraries. When you are making your summer plans with the children you care about, be sure to take advantage of the many learning opportunities available in central Indiana. Consider these facts from the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University:

• ALL young people suffer learning losses if they are not involved in some sort of learning activities over the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.

• MANY students, especially those from lower income homes, lose the equivalent of two months of math and reading skills during the summer. This adds up. About two-thirds of the ninth grade achievement gap between lower and higher income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.
  

• Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer. Most children—particularly children at high risk of obesity—gain weight more rapidly when they are out of school during summer break.

• Parents consistently name summer as the most difficult time to ensure their children have productive things to do.

Museums, libraries, parks, community centers, local congregations and many other youth-serving organizations offer a variety of summer experiences that challenge young people and keep them engaged in positive activities, including summer programs and camps covering topics that focus on or incorporate art, music, science, math and reading. These summer activities give children the time to investigate topics more deeply, participate in hands-on projects and develop caring relationships with adult and youth staff. Social and recreational opportunities provided by these programs can build self-confidence, support healthy habits, and prevent childhood obesity, all of which contribute to children's readiness to learn in school.

Summer also offers many youth the opportunity to develop leadership ability and other practical skills that they can continue to use into adulthood. Jobs and volunteer positions are available in summer camps, recreation centers and state-sponsored programs. Young people who work in summer programs serve as positive role models for their peers and campers alike, providing concrete examples of how young people can contribute and make a difference in their community.

Above all, think about summer learning as a positive youth development strategy. At MCCOY, we believe that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, learn, engage, and contribute— and we know that young people depend on the caring adults in their lives to provide these opportunities. So, as you are plotting summer time activities, how about setting aside half hour a week to read to or with a young person who is important to you, discuss current events with your teen or play a board game with the family? An active, growing mind doesn’t need a vacation—it needs stimulation.

There are literally hundreds of quality summer programs and learning experiences in central Indiana that offer a safe place, caring adults, and countless occasions for children and youth to expand their horizons, develop their talents, and build their skills. MCCOY’s 12th annual Youth Activity Directory has hundreds of listings and ideas. Many of these programs are low-cost or provide financial assistance for low-income families. Make this a summer to remember—in more ways than one.

John Brandon is the president of MCCOY (Marion County Commission on Youth), the youth services intermediary for central Indiana. MCCOY’s mission is to champion the positive development of youth through leadership on key issues and support of the youth worker community. MCCOY’s vision is that every young person in central Indiana has opportunities to thrive, learn, engage and contribute.

Indianapolis Central Library to Offer Free Children's Performances

The Downtown Library has partnered with Young Actors Theater to bring Free Children's performances to the Clowes Auditorium that is located on the main level of the library.

Up the Down Staircase -

The Learning Curve at Central Library and the Young Actors Theatre present a performance featuring Young Actors Theatre TEENZ, a troupe of 35 students in grades 8 - 12. The show revolves around character Sylvia Barrett, a new high school teacher who finds herself in a near war with a discipline-over-everything administrator. But mostly she becomes involved in the unexpected and sometimes heartbreaking problems of her students.

Peter Pan -

The Learning Curve at Central Library and Young Actors Theatre present a modern twist to this classic fairy tale. From lost boy to superhero, this performance features two boys and a girl who follow Peter Pan and Tinker Bell into Never Land, where children never grow old and Captain Hook and her pirates are never outwitted. Performed by the Young Actors Theatre KIDZ, a troupe of 40 students in grades 3 - 7.

Young Actors Theatre (YAT) is Indianapolis’ oldest not-for-profit children’s theater, established in 1976. The mission of YAT is to instill confidence, creativity and discipline in local youth who participate in its programs. Participants learn the craft of acting through classes and rehearsals for a full-scale children’s or teenage play presented to the public at the end of each session.

Computer Classes @ Central Library

I was just at the Indianapolis Downtown Central Library and picked up a flyer that I thought might be helpful to all of you. They are offering computer classes for free in the computer training lab on the first floor. There is no registration but space it limited.

Computer Basics - Wednesday May 20 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
This class is perfect for computer novices. learn about the components that make up a computer, what toolbars are, how to use a mouse and keyboard, and how to copy and paste text.

Internet Job Search - Thursday, May 21 from 9:30 am - 11:30
This is a hands-on workshop on using the Internet to find a job. Included will be instruction on the best websites and library resources for resumes, cover letters, interviewing and job openings.

Word Basics - Monday, May 18 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Adults are invited to learn the basics of Microsoft word. Find out how to create, edit and save a document, use menus and toolbars, and correct spelling and grammar automatically. You should be comfortable using a mouse and keyboard before taking this class.

Introduction to the Internet - Monday, May 18 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
This introduction to the Internet includes learning key vocabulary, understanding toolbars, finding information using search engines and directories and evaluating Web sites. participants should already be comfortable using a mouse and keyboard before taking this class.

Microsoft Publisher Basics - Thursday, May 21 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
With Microsoft Publisher users can produce professional looking materials such as brochures, flyers and newsletters. In this beginning class adults are invited to learn the basics while creating a personalized greeting card. Bring a favorite photograph to scan and insert in your card. Participants should already have a basic knowledge of Microsoft word for the greatest benefit from this class.

Intermediate Word - Wednesday, May 27 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Adults who are already comfortable using Microsoft Word but would like to learn more about the program's bells and whistles will benefit from this class. Learn to create columns, bulleted lists, insert graphics and use shortcuts to make your documents more functional and attractive.

Intermediate Excel - Thursday, May 28 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Adults who are already comfortable with creating and formatting a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel are invited to this intermediate class. Topics include relative and absolute cell references, 3D formulas, headers and footers, inserting graphics and creating graphs. Beginners are asked to complete the Excel Basics class before taking this intermediate class.

Helping Children and Teens Deal with Stress in an Uncertain Times

INDIANAPOLIS - As families across the country face losses of nest eggs, homes
or jobs, their young children and teens need emotional support.
Child psychologist Michele C. Thorne, Ph.D., clinical director of the Consult
Liaison Service at Riley Hospital for Children and assistant professor of clinical
psychology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, says that parents should
recognize that even newborn babies pick up on the emotional tones of adult stress.
She says children of any age, including teens, need to be reassured that they are
safe and will be cared for no matter how the family is faring.

Children, especially those prone to anxiety, will jump to conclusions and worry.
Dr. Thorne says that if upheaval is occurring or is feared, it is better for children
and teens to be prepared.

"Parents need to talk with their children and teens because they need time to adjust
to changes. But parents also should censor what they say and shouldn't burden their
children with adult worries and concerns," she said.

That's because children aren't ready to be saddled with adult burdens. The frontal
lobe, the part of the brain that handles planning, attention, concentration, and
reasoning isn't fully developed until late adolescence or early adulthood. Or as Dr.
Thorne puts it, the main onboard computer which directs how an individual makes
decisions isn't fully programmed in children and teens.

She recommends weekly family meetings, especially when a family is going
through a difficult time. For example, parents might say that Dad will be home
more often because he isn't working and that he will need to use the computer
because it helps him locate job leads or keep up with financial markets.
"It's best to talk with your children about what is going on and to explain the
family's strategies for dealing with it," she said.

While parents want their children to know that they can ask questions or offer
suggestions she counsels against involving children in decisions such as whether to
move or how to handle situations outside their spheres of influence.
"You don't want to make your child or teen think you don't appreciate their advice
so it's best not to solicit their opinions on things which they are unqualified to make
a decision," she said.

As media headlines carry daily updates on the global economic crisis and broadcast
news of possible recession, children and teens may be facing an information
overload even if not directly affected. Dr. Thorne suggests that parents investigate
what is being presented in their children's classrooms for guidance on discussions
at home.

If a child appears to be having trouble coping with stress or appears anxious,
parents should consult with the child's pediatrician or community mental health
services or school counselor. Parents should also make sure they have their own
emotional supports in place, which will provide them with the ability to best help
their children.


Dr. Thorne's research focuses on the relationship between psychological thriving
and coping processes during major life transitions.

About Riley Hospital for Children As Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively
to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care,
support and comfort to children and their families for 80 years. Each year Riley serves over 160,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health related information for their parents.

From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the
most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is the leader for pediatric care in
the state and the region. In 2004, Clarian became Indiana's first magnet hospital system. Clarian Health
Partners, Inc. operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital campuses as a
single hospital under Indiana law.

CONTACT: Cindy Fox Aisen
317-274-7722
caisen@iupui.edu