Dr. Ione VargUS, FOUNDER

It’s Summer. Let’s keep our school-aged family members reading and learning. Studies show that students lose as much as 2-3 months of math and reading skills over the summer. So let’s fuel them with interesting things to do—that are as educational as they are fun. 

1. Have them research the neighborhood, city and/or state where they live and the people who’ve made an impact there. For example, who is the neighborhood playground named after. What's the history behind the area church or park. Where did your street get it's name. 

2. How far back can they trace their family history (one generation, 2, 3 or more). 

3. What ideas or suggestions do they have for an upcoming reunion. What suggestions do they have for getting young people involved.

4. Start a word challenge where they identify 2 to 5 new words a day starting with the letter A the first day, B the second day, and so on. 

5. Try NBA Math Hoops: The New Basketball-Themed Math Game designed for students in grades 3-8 to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball, run by the non-profit Learn Fresh in partnership with NBA Cares. CLICK HERE for info.

6. Visit local museums, sign-up for activities at your local library, etc. Learning isn’t just educational, it’s inspiring and fun too.

It may sound a little far-fetched, however Including something educational during the reunion is one way to get school-aged family members interested in attending the reunion and striving to do their best during the school year. There are many ways to pique younger family members interest while encouraging them to do better, including the following list. The goal is to get students enthusiastic about doing their best during the school year, so they can come to the reunion to brag, get rewarded for their good work, and set a good example for younger students. And, it also helps set them up for future learning and success.

-Scholarships – provide scholarships for high school graduates who are going to college, trade school, etc. 

-Educational Rewards – provide students rewards for good grades, attendance, etc. 

-Promotion Event – hold a “Move-Up/Promotion” event to celebrate students accomplishments

-Book Fair or Book Exchange – ask family members to provide new or gently used books for all ages and offer them free to students.

-Book Club – create a book club. Have students sign-up at the reunion and identify books they’d like to read and discuss.

-Spelling Bee Competition – hold a Spelling Bee, Math Bee, Family History Bee. Ask family teachers to help.

-School Supplies – provide students pencils, pens, rulers, drawstring bags, etc. with the family name to remind them that the family is hoping they do well in school.

PRACTiCAL FAMiLY REUNION PLANNING - Social Wellness Month

Social Wellness Month is celebrated each July to encourage people to build healthy relationships and improve their social well-being. We all want our families and family members to be well, because the healthier our members are, the stronger our families (and reunions) will be. So what’s a family to do when there are noticeable social struggles among our family members? We use our reunions as a safe place, refuge, sanctuary on which to build things up again.

Social Wellness Month revolves around the concept of self-love, nurturing relationships, and fostering positive connections. And that’s what families and reunions do. We nurture relationships, promote self-love and foster positive connections and growth.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that, “from the time you’re born, your relationships help you learn to navigate the world. You learn how to interact with others, express yourself, conduct everyday health habits, and be a part of different communities from those around you. Positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier—mentally and physically”. Let’s use our reunions to help our family members become socially aware—offering needed help and support.  

NIH has a list of 6 strategies for improving social health. I’ve modified them so that they’re now strategies for improving your social health during the family reunion.

1. Make connections with as many family members as you can.

2. Take care of yourself while caring for others—especially family elders.

3. Get active (put down your cell phone, get up, meet & greet, or see how you can help out or participate).

4. Shape your family’s health habits (create 1-2 activites for family members to enjoy during the reunion).

5. Build healthy relationships. Make sure to get contact info and stay in touch with folks you’re interacting with at the reunion.

6. Bond with your kids and other family members from various generations.

For more on what NIH has to say about social wellness click the link below: 

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit