So much of the joy of summer is the ease of it. Summer days are
languid and long; even calling them lazy seems like a
compliment, a sign of summertime success. But amid that openness
glows a little flicker of possibility. Your preschooler's mind
isn't dormant for the middle months of the year. It's open too,
though moving at a different rhythm. Isn't there a way to keep
learning aflame while still giving summer its due of
unstructured downtime? (By the way, this applies to you parents
too—taking a break from efficiency is sometimes the best way to
stay sharp, as this great New York Times article explores.) When
we are out and about during the summer, here's how we stoke the
fire of learning: At the zoo -- Making the most of your family's
membership at your local zoo (or aquarium) means coming early in
the day or almost in the evening, just for an hour or so, to
learn about a specific animal. Strike up a conversation with a
zoo keeper (although the title conjures up the indelible image
from Good Night Gorilla)