Teaching while travelling

Teaching while travelling has always been an important part of our life. (hello, family travel blog). Since the kids were little, we used new cities to teach them about history, world events, new cultures, and of course languages.

After living in Europe , we have started travelling the Americas; a new part of the world for all of us. So essentially we have an untouched classroom, ready to teach while we travel.

So what does a day of teaching while travelling look like for us?

Check out below how we incorporate teaching and learning into each day that we travel.

Apps

While travelling back to Australia, and over the Aussie summer, we are using an app for Mathematics and English, based on the learning outcomes of the Australian curriculum so the children can bridge any gaps between the Dutch school curriculum and their new year levels in Australia in 2023.

The children also use a currency converter when we head to a new country to find out what the price would be in Australian dollars and Euro. After a few uses, both of the kids become confident in working out the conversion in their heads.

Museums

We visit at least one museum each place we visit. Ideally it is a museum about the history of the place we are currently in. We also love museums about the local military too.

The kids are required to read (Dutch or English depending on where we are of course) where possible and we spend the time discussing what they read and what the topic is. Recently, we have been visiting museums with Spanish. The children try to identify words, and use the diagrams, photos and displays to piece together the information. Fortunately for us, Rog is very knowledgeable with history and languages so we can get additional information from him when we need to (me included).

When it comes to history museums, you will often find many displays show maps, and geographical information. We also incorporate these into our teaching, often leading to other discussions and “history” lessons that aren’t necessarily a part of the museum we are in.

Also depending on the type of museum, there may be interactive displays. Hearing other languages, and learning how things work also has its place with teaching while you travel, and both Mick and Tate recall things they have learnt over the years bringing it back to current learning.

Interactions

No matter where we are in the world, the children need to read their own menus and order in the local language, even from street vendors. After living in Spain for a while, this is a little easier in Spanish speak countries, with both the kids recognising many food and drinks. The kids also have needed to learn and remember words for bathroom as well as asking where a bathroom is too.

The children also are speaking Dutch and English, and constantly switching throughout the day. They also complete a travel journal daily; handwriting in English.

Final Thoughts

Never underestimate the power you have in teaching your children, especially while you travel. They are sponges and are listening even when you think they are not! Make it easy for you and take their interests into account and sneak in subjects like mathematics and reading.

I wrote an article for Just A Lovely Family a little while ago with some other suggestions about how to make learning fun for the whole family too.